Steve Bruce: 'Promotion is in Aston Villa's hands'

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has insisted that promotion to the Premier League is in the club's hands.

The West Midlands outfit, who currently sit third in the Championship table, have to play fellow top-flight hopefuls Cardiff City, Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers before the end of the season.

Bruce has called on his players to "cherish" their promotion race, adding that Villa have a "real chance" of returning to the Premier League.

"What have we got, 13 games to go? When it gets down to eight, seven and sixes, still a lot of points to be played for," the manager told reporters. "It's approaching us but it's one you've got to try and enjoy.

"We've been there or thereabouts all season. We've given ourselves a chance, let's enjoy the rollercoaster - because it will be. The simple thing for me. We have to go and enjoy it because we are involved in football to be in the kind of situations we're in now. Let's cherish it and enjoy it.

"It's what we're in it for. What we strive for, what we have trained for and played for all winter. We've tried to get in this position. We have got a chance, with all to play for. We have got Cardiff, Derby and Wolves at home. It's in our hands. Let's bring it on and see if we can enjoy it and see what we can do."

Villa's next outing is a trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.