Nigel Spink: Steve Bruce facing "massive job" at Aston Villa

Bruce and Villa are entering a critical summer with the manager having to operate on a “sell to buy” policy, as he looks to transform a squad which finished in mid-table this term into one which can challenge at the top end of the Championship.

Spink, part of Bruce’s coaching staff during his stints at Blues, Wigan and Sunderland, remains in no doubt his pal is the right man to revive Villa’s fortunes.

But he is already of the view it will take something special for the club to win automatic promotion 12 months from now.

“When you consider the work which still needs to be done in terms of moving players out, it is quite a scary situation,” said Spink.

“I think Steve is the right man but it is a huge job he is facing this summer. With the players that still have to be moved out, it still feels like he is spinning plates at the moment.

“You find it hard to make a case, at this point, for Villa getting into the top two next season. When you compare them to the likes of Brighton and Newcastle this season, there is a big jump to be made. Their best chance might be through the play-offs.

“Steve will admit this is the toughest job he has had. If he thought going into Sunderland as a Geordie was hard, then this is probably harder.

“It is going to need all his experience to get the club back on its feet. It’s still a massive job with a huge amount of work to be done, whichever way you look at it.”

Villa made 16 permanent signings during the past two transfer windows at a net spend of close to £50million, the bulk of which was spent last summer by Bruce's predecessor, Roberto Di Matteo.

The club must now cut their cloth accordingly in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations and Spink added: "The frustration for Steve is that a lot of the money he would like to spend has already been spent.

"Too many of the players brought in last summer simply did not do the job and have turned out not to be good enough.

“Steve will have to wheel and deal in order to get the kind of players he wants, the kind of players he needs.

“He brought in some players in January who have proven they can do it in the Championship, the likes of Henri Lansbury, Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan.

“He will need them to step up next season too.”