Steve Bruce named Championship manager of the month for January - WATCH

Bruce saw off competition from Blues boss Steve Cotterill to bag the prize, after a month when his team rekindled their hopes of automatic promotion.

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

Bruce’s men are currently on a six-game winning streak – the club’s best run of form for 28 years.

With Bruce currently away from Villa following the death of his father, Joe, earlier in the week, assistant boss Colin Calderwood accepted the award on his behalf.

“They were important games (during January) and brought us to a new level, in terms of performance,” said Calderwood.

“We’ve dug in at important moments and got through it. Gradually our performance level has been good. The quality of goals, I think, has been excellent.

“The dressing room has been good, noisy, with the right level of concentration and fun within it.

“When you have that, it helps. Behind the scenes it is one of the biggest things.”

Norwichs Daniel Farke and Fulham’s Slavisa Jokanovic were the other managers nominated for the award.

Villa’s Scott Hogan was also in contention for the player of the month prize after netting four goals but lost out to Fulham winger Ryan Sessegnon.