Villa boss Steve Bruce still aiming high
Villa boss Steve Bruce says his side ‘have got the ingredients to be a top-six team’ despite their derby-day defeat at Wolves.
They were beaten 2-0 at a packed-out Molineux on Saturday, with Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini getting the goals.
The result left Villa seventh in the Championship table and the hosts top of the pile.
When asked if they have enough to be in the play-off mix, Bruce said: “I sincerely hope so, I think so.
“We have still got a long way to go, I keep saying that, but I think we have got the ingredients to be a top six team.”
Wolves are now the bookmakers’ favourites for promotion to the Premier League, with odds as short as 1/2.
On whether they can stay at the top, Bruce said: “I’m not really interested in that just yet.
"They are a good side, have invested heavily and obviously they have a bit of momentum going.
“There’s a long way to go, a big winter ahead.
“There’s some very decent teams in this division and Wolves are one of them.”
Villa struggled to create any meaningful chances at Molineux – Robert Snodgrass’ free-kick that hit the crossbar was their only major effort.
Bruce feels they struggled to impose their will due to being wasteful in possession.
“To create chances, you have to get the ball back better,” he added.
“I didn’t think we went after the ball, I didn’t think we did enough without the ball to then control possession.
"We huffed and puffed and gave the ball away too cheaply.
"We didn’t have that threat up the top end of the pitch.”
