Under-fire Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce feeling no extra pressure ahead of pivotal trip to Bristol City

Villa head to Ashton Gate with Bruce’s position under serious scrutiny following a run of just one win in seven Championship games.

It is thought another poor performance and defeat against the Robins could lead to the club’s owners wielding the axe and ending Bruce’s tenure days shy of his two-year anniversary.

The 57-year-old has heard a section of supporters call for his head in three of the last four games, including last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Asked if he was feeling any additional nerves, Bruce replied: “No. It’s another game. I cannot influence anything else. I am focused on the game.

“Can we get a result? I am convinced we can. Hopefully we can then go into Tuesday, get two results and hopefully then people will be saying what is all the nonsense about?”

Bruce received the public backing of Villa’s owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, following their purchase of a majority stake in the club back in July.

But he yesterday admitted to having had no recent discussions with the owners over his position.

“I have been in it a long, long time,” continued Bruce. “Pressure is part and parcel of it. Tell me an Aston Villa manager who hasn’t had it?"

He went on: “I’m quietly convinced that we’ve got the nucleus of a good squad but the time comes when you need a result.

"We go to Bristol City and then host Preston, we could be in a better position by next Wednesday.

“Whoever is sitting here, you have to get results. They haven’t been good enough.

“We have to find a way of winning games.”