Steve Bruce describes pressure as a 'sick kick' as he reaches 100 games at Aston Villa

The 57-year-old will on Saturday rack-up 100 games in charge when Villa host Sheffield Wednesday, aiming for their second win in the space of five days.

Despite stopping the rot when he replaced Roberto Di Matteo in October 2016, Bruce’s tenure has often been tumultuous, with Villa being plunged into a financial crisis following their failure to reach the Premier League last season.

The manager, meanwhile, has come in for criticism from sections of the fanbase, with some calling for his head during a recent five-game winless run.

Yet while admitting Villa has been arguably his toughest test in management, Bruce also claims it to have been his most enjoyable.

He said: “The bigger the challenge, the more I want to get stuck into it.

“There’s something sick in me, unfortunately. I really think that. The harder it goes the more I enjoy it.

“Every club you manage, it’s a tough job. But certainly the size of the club, to nearly being in administration during the summer, that was a ridiculous scenario really.

“Has it been the most difficult? Arguably. But in a perverse way it has been the most enjoyable.

“It is a great club and has been an honour to manage, along with some great names who have managed this club before. I am one of them. It doesn’t happen to many.”

Bruce took a swipe at his critics following Tuesday's 2-0 win over Rotherham. But on Friday, he acknowledged the criticism is simply part and parcel of the job.

He added: “I have just seen one of the great managers take a grilling - Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, what a manager he is.

“Then before that it was Jose Mourinho. Who am I kidding myself if I am not going to take a bit of s*** now and again?”

Bruce continued: "I think I have got a win ratio here of 46.5 per cent, which is far more than any other manager, I believe, or thereabouts.

"We are still here and here’s to the next 100. Let’s hope that, after last season, we can go one better.

"I am convinced with the squad we have assembled we will be there or thereabouts again. It’s always tough, it’s the Championship, but I am quietly confident."