Aston Villa vs Reading: Steve Bruce must make the most of home run

Hopes of automatic promotion might be gone, yet the season remains very much alive along with the ultimate ambition of a return to the Premier League, even if the journey might be longer and more nerve-wracking than ideally desired.

The main focus for boss Steve Bruce must now be for his team to rediscover some form, particularly in attack, over the season’s remaining seven games.

Villa play three of their next four fixtures at home, starting with tonight’s visit of Reading.

Despite being beaten 3-1 by QPR last time on their own turf, Villa retain one of the Championship’s best home records.

Axel Tuanzebe is hoping the Villa Park crowd can be a source of inspiration. “Having the home crowd pushes us and makes us fight harder,” he said. “We have to bounce back.

“In a matter of two or three games the table can change dramatically.

“There are still a lot of games to play. Dramatic things can still happen.

“Our next focus is Reading. We didn’t get the result we wanted at Hull but we just have to move forward.”

Tuanzebe’s refusal to admit defeat in the race for the top two may have drawn scorn in some quarters. Yet as a means of maintaining focus and morale, it is hardly the worst mindset to have, particularly with Villa still needing at least a couple of wins to ensure a top six finish.

Reading arrive in B6 having recorded only one victory on their travels since December. Yet they have also just snapped a 10-game winless run thanks to Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over QPR, in what was also Paul Clement’s first game in charge since replacing Jaap Stam.

The visiting line-up could well contain a couple of familiar faces with both Leandro Bacuna, who moved from Villa Park to the Madjeski last August, and one-time loanee Tiago Ilori in the Royals ranks.

Bruce, meanwhile, is expected to shuffle the pack as Villa face the second of five games in the space of 14 days.

Conor Hourihane and Birkir Bjarnason are pushing for recalls having not featured in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Hull. Ahmed Elmohamady is meanwhile likely to replace Tuanzebe at right-back.

“It is the moment of truth, let’s see what happens,” said the Manchester United loanee. “I’m sure in the coming games we will prove to people we are more than good enough to get promotion.”