Bruce facing two games to save job amid Villa overhaul

Steve Bruce is facing two crucial games in his fight to remain Aston Villa manager, as the club prepare to appoint a new technical director.

Bruce is under increasing pressure after a dismal start to the season and needs to win at least one of the games against Preston and Millwall to improve his hopes of staying in charge. The 57-year-old has overseen just one victory from the past nine games and faced chants for his dismissal from fans during the 1-1 draw at Bristol City on Friday.

While newly-appointed chief executive Christian Purslow has been determined to maintain stability, Bruce’s position is under growing threat. Villa were always keen to wait until the October international break to assess the situation, following a slow start to the campaign.

A defeat tonight at home by Preston, who are bottom of the Championship, would only increase the clamour from supporters for a change. Bruce’s future could come into further question with the imminent appointment of a technical director, while a head of performance is also expected to come in.

Purslow is leading the hunt for a new supremo to oversee Villa’s football operations and interviews are understood to have been completed. It is believed an appointment is close and that may have further ramifications for Bruce, who hopes to complete two years in charge this month. Bruce has not been fully involved in the selection process.

Villa are only two points off the play-off places but are 15th in the table. Bruce said: “If we’re patient, and that’s never a given in management these days, I know we’ve got the nucleus of a squad that will put us in contention for promotion. That has got to be the aim.”