Play-offs hold no fear for Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce insists promotion-chasing Villa should have nothing to fear should they have to settle for the Championship play-offs.
With three games remaining, the manager has not given up on hopes of gatecrashing the top two.
But he insists any tilt at the play-offs would be approached with gusto, with Bruce taking confidence from Villa’s record against the rest of the current top six. Villa have beaten every team apart from Millwall – who they face on the final day of the season.
“We’ve improved and even though we might not be good enough to go up automatically, we’ve given ourselves a chance,” said Bruce.
“On our day we’re a very, very good side. We don‘t fear anybody that’s for sure because we’ve beaten them all. Let’s enjoy it.”
Fulham’s failure to beat Brentford last weekend has kept fourth-placed Villa’s automatic promotion hopes alive ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Ipswich, though they require further slip-ups from both the Cottagers and Cardiff to stand any chance of overhauling the pair.
“I’ve said it many times, if we can lose a few games on the bounce, so can others,” said Bruce.
“It what the Championship is. Now, we’re looking for two teams to slip up, that’s the difficulty.
“But you can’t give up hope.”
Skipper John Terry has handed Villa a boost by returning to training ahead of the game at Portman Road. The 37-year-old has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury.
Alan Hutton is also close to recovering from a hamstring problem which has seen him start just one game in two months.
Hamstring issues have also seen Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe make only five appearances since joining the club in January.
