Preview: Villa (v) Wolves - Bruce & derby day the sideshow in a game we simply must win.

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It’s a short and simple match preview in real terms.

The arrival of Steve Bruce marks a moment in managerial history that few Villa fans would’ve have predicted.

However, given a track record of Championship promotions, could ultimately prove to be the right man at the right time.

The former Blues, Sunderland & Hull boss joins us at Villa Park and finds himself with a real job on his hands.

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Despite solid recruitment throughout the transfer window, Di Matteo fell well short in both organising the new recruits and blending their talents into a winning formula.

Whilst the strike-force has looked potent if disjointed, we have looked short in midfield as well as erratic at the back.

There is improvement to be found in all areas of the pitch.

Bruce’s first job will be to overcome a Wolves side that is similarly unpredictable.

The visitors are the archetypal Championship side; beating Newcastle away from The Molineux yet losing to strugglers Wigan Athletic. It’s this form that sees their boss Walter Zenga under pressure to find consistency under the watchful eye of new wealthy backers.

Villa simply need to start winning football matches, arrest a routine of conceding late goals and belatedly establish a settled starting eleven.

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Whilst a derby game is welcome on the fixture list, we are reaching the point where the opponents are largely irrelevant. As a football club we have to get back into the habit of winning games.

Talk of ambition and an urgency to climb the table is understandable, but a completely different conversation will emerge in the coming weeks if victories do not begin to materialise.