Steve Bruce intends to be busy over the next couple of weeks as he seeks to bring additional quality into his Aston Villa squad.

Villa have opened with successive victories against Hull City and Wigan, but have conceded three goals in doing so.

After a challenging summer in which their very future seemed threatened, to be one of just three sides with a 100% record after two games is incredibly positive for the fans.

The manager has acknowledged that he's likely to be very active over the coming weeks as the loan window remains open, despite their good strat to the season.

“We’ll be busy, that’s for sure,” Bruce told Birmingham Live after being asked about his transfer intentions.

“It’s been a difficult summer for everybody and I’m not going to lie about that. I’ve lost good people in lots of areas because we thought there would be cuts so to come out and get a decent start is great for the supporters."

Gabby Agbonlahor and John Terry are perhaps the two most high-profile losses to the squad this summer, although Robert Snodgrass returned to West Ham upon completion of his loan.

Jordan Amavi signed permanently for Marseille, but he had spent the season in France on loan and hadn't featured for Villa since May 2017.

Villa have been linked with a triple swoop for Snodgrass, Tammy Abraham and £25m winger Yannick Bolasie.

The Verdict

It has been a great start for Villa, but they clearly need reinforcements, especially at the back having shipped as many goals as five of the early bottom six in the division.

The ability to score seems to be evident, which is why links with such an array of attacking players seems strange. It is at odds with the blatant need for experience and pace in the back four.

Steve Bruce will know that and the rumours in the media are likely to be only the very tip of his recruitment plan, if they're interested in those players at all.