Speaking to the Express and Star, Steve Bruce has insisted that he still believes his Aston Villa squad are capable of challenging for the top-six in the Sky Bet Championship.

Bruce watched his side suffer a 2-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side continued to set the standard to the rest of the Championship.

Saturday’s defeat ended a long unbeaten run in the Championship, which stretched back to August, whilst also ending a four game winning streak that had lifted Villa to the edge of the play-offs.

When questioned about Villa’s play-off credentials, Bruce was defiant that his side had enough to compete, he said: “I sincerely hope so, I think so.

“We have still got a long way to go, I keep saying that, but I think we have got the ingredients to be a top six team.”

Despite Saturday’s defeat, Villa remained seventh in the Championship table, just a single point behind sixth placed, Leeds United.

Bruce’s side now face a testing end to October, with two tricky fixtures.

Villa welcome Fulham to Villa Park on Saturday, before an eight-day break from Championship action ahead of the Second City derby with Birmingham City, which takes place on October 29^th.

The Verdict  

As Bruce mentions, it is early in the season and it is hard to judge if the Championship table is beginning to take shape at this current time.

Villa were not at their best against Wolves, but there is certainly no shame in losing at Molineux, as Nuno’s side are looking like an outstanding outfit.

The remainder of October will give us an indication of where Villa are.

Bruce’s side must bounce back against Fulham next weekend, and then their nerve will once again be tested on a big stage in the Second City derby.

Aston Villa fans… Let us know your thoughts!