Following the arrival of Steve Bruce as the club's new manager, Aston Villa now look every bit like a side capable of making an instant return to the Premier League, following their disastrous relegation last season.

The Villains made a poor start to life in the Championship with Roberto Di Matteo biting the bullet after a miserable run of form, which saw the West Midlands-based club languish near the foot of the table.

Bruce has hit the ground running at Villa Park and his side are now playing with some real confidence, with his charges currently sitting just four points away from the play-off places.

Villa are blessed with a superb academy and Bruce could look to blend some graduates into his squads over the coming weeks, as he looks to find out who is part of his plans and who isn't.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke looks at two wonderkids who should get the chance to shine at Aston Villa.

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy

Hepburn-Murphy is seen as the next big thing to emerge from the Aston Villa academy and he has already made his debut for the first-team, during a 4-0 win at Sunderland at the tender age of 16-years-old.

Now 18, the Aston-born forward has a superb burst of pace and a keen eye for goal, becoming a regular in the higher age-groups of the Villa youth academy over the past 18 months.

Having joined the club at the age of 9, it will naturally delight the Villa faithful when he does become a regular in the first-team. Given the club's current solid form, now could be a good time to hand him a chance to impress in the Championship whilst the pressure is off and the team is playing well.

Andre Green

Another player who has risen through the youth ranks at Aston Villa is versatile attacking midfielder Andre Green.

The 18-year-old can play either wide on the flanks or through the middle as a number ten and he looks set for a bright future in professional football.

The speed merchant made two appearances for the first-team last season during the club's relegation campaign, looking more than comfortable during both of his outings wide on the right.

The youngster featured as a substitute on five occasions under Di Matteo and now could be the time for Bruce to utilise him back in the first-team squad.

Aston Villa fans, would Steve Bruce be wise to play these two wonderkids? Who else is coming through the ranks that should be getting recognition? Let us know in the comments below!!!