Nigel Spink: Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is the man for the play-offs

Villa head into the final eight games of the campaign sitting fourth in the table and still retaining a slender hope of winning automatic promotion. But the play-offs look a more realistic possibility and Spink believes that is where Bruce’s experience could become an asset.

The Villa boss has twice before won promotion through the play-offs – most recently with Hull in 2016.

European Cup-winning goalkeeper Spink, who was part of Bruce’s coaching team at Blues when they reached the Premier League in 2002, said: “Steve knows what the play-offs are all about and how to handle them.

“There is definitely a way to approach them and he knows how to prepare. He is the best manager you could ask for in that situation.”

Villa resume their campaign away at Hull on Saturday. Bruce’s men are currently seven points behind second-placed Cardiff, who visit Villa Park next month.

The manager is refusing to give up hopes of a top two finish but admits his team would likely need to win six of their remaining matches to stand any chance of catching the Bluebirds.

Spink: “Steve will still believe they can do it until it is no longer mathematically possible.

“But if it is to be the play-offs, in a way it would be better to find out sooner rather than later.

“I always feel it is difficult for teams who get close and miss out on the final game to refocus.”