STEVE

Just a few weeks after Steve Bruce admitted that Aston Villa may have to give up on the promotion hopes, the club have been able to dramatically rise up the table.

A run of four wins in the last five games has seen Villa move to 12th in the table. The prospect of finishing in the top six, which gives access to the play-offs, has been immensely boosted as a result of this run. Manager Steve Bruce, though, is expecting even more from his players, as he says that the club can improve even further. The 1-0 win over Derby County towards the end of February brought an end to a winless run that had stretched to nine league games.

Aston Villa management appointed Steve Clarke as interim manager of the club, following the sacking of Roberto di Matteo.

Roberto brought in Clarke when he took over at Villa to assist him. Di Matteo was appointed in June following the relegation of the club from top flight English football. He brought in Clarke to assist, but the poor run of games led the Aston Villa management to sack him.