Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce expected to be in dugout for Second City Derby

Bruce has been absent from the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground following the death of his father, Joe, on Tuesday.

Assistant boss Colin Calderwood, head of coaching Steve Agnew and first-team coach Stephen Clemence have been preparing the team for the showdown with Blues. But Bruce will select the starting XI while Calderwood on Thursday confirmed he expected the boss to be at the game.

“I believe (he will be there),” he said. “We are in contact with him daily.

“He will pick the team and we’ll be ready without his presence this week. But his presence is always there with the players.”

Calderwood added: “Part of our job is to help throughout the week, that is what we are doing – Stephen Clemence, (goalkeeping coach) Gary Walsh and Steve Agnew. “We have got to get the team to Sunday, get the group of players there ready. We hope Steve will be there with us.”

Villa won four league games out of four during January to move within a point of second-placed Derby.

Deadline day signing Lewis Grabban is, meanwhile, in contention for Sunday’s game.

The 30-year-old striker was given a week in order to build fitness following his arrival on loan from Bournemouth.

Calderwood said: "We've been monitoring him this week and got him through some physical work.

"Then he was in with the players properly this week.

"He'll be there or thereabouts with regard to selection I imagine.

"He's slotted in well. He's an experienced player who's been at lots of different clubs.

"He's well-versed with adapting to a new dressing room. I think he'll be a good addition for us."

Villa have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game.