Aston Villa fans would support Steve Bruce appointment
Villa supporters have given their backing to Steve Bruce as the club continue to weigh up a move for the former Birmingham City boss.
The 55-year-old and Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner are the early frontrunners to become Villa's fourth permanent manager in less than a year, following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo earlier this week.
Bruce's previous association with Blues, where he spent six years as manager, had been considered a potential stumbling block. But in an online poll of more than 2,500 fans on the Express & Star website, he emerged as the preferred choice to take the reins.
Chief executive Keith Wyness and Steve Round, the club's new technical director, have spent the first part of the week finalising their shortlist as they begin the search for Di Matteo's successor.
Bruce, with four promotions from the Championship already on his CV, has obvious appeal and is available following his departure from Hull in July. But owner Tony Xia has made clear his willingness to pay any compensation fee required should Villa look to prise away a manager currently in work and Wagner, who has led Huddersfield Town to the top of the second tier, is highly-regarded by Round.
Di Matteo, who was dismissed after just 124 days in charge, broke his silence on his departure last night. The Italian released a statement via the League Manager's Association expressing his "deep disappointment".
