It's been a difficult season for Aston Villa following their relegation from the Premier League last term, but the arrival of Steve Bruce as the club's new manager has certainly led to revived fortunes at Villa Park.

Villa had just one win from eleven matches when Steve Bruce took charge of the club and the former Hull City man has made an immediate impression, with three games unbeaten and winning the last two Championship fixtures- including Villa's first away win in over a year, which came against Reading.

Whilst they may sit 16th in the Championship and six points behind the play-off spots, there is still a long way to go and the only way is up for the Midlands outfit- and we believe they'll finish the season in the top-six, giving them the chance to return to the Premier League at the first-time of asking.

It certainly won't be easy but Steve Bruce is definitely the man for the job.

Here are TWO reasons why Bruce will guide Villa to the Play-Offs....

Experience

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Steve Bruce knows what it takes to guide a big club from outside the top-flight to the Premier League, having achieved the feat twice with Aston Villa's arch-rivals Birmingham City during a long stint in charge of the Blues.

At Hull City, Bruce guided the Tigers to the Premier League in his first-season in charge and led Hull to a club-record finish in the top-flight, as well as reaching the FA Cup final. Relegation then followed the next season but Bruce, once again, won promotion to the top-flight.

Bruce's experience in these sorts of situations will prove vital and Villa fans can get excited by the fact he often achieves instant success with his clubs.

Getting the best from the squad

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There's no doubt that Aston Villa have some top players, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Micah Richards and Jordan Ayew all being too good for the second-tier of English football. Once Bruce gets them all in-line though, they should start firing themselves up the table.

Grealish, Ross McCormack, Ayew and Rudy Gestede have all shown their class in front of goal this season and Bruce can now lead them to more consistent performances, which will aid his team's ambition.

When he guided Hull to the FA Cup final, his squad was far weaker than many other sides in the competition but his unification of the team was a major difference- and the same with Villa this term will be incredibly crucial.