"?According to the "?Daily Mail, Steve Bruce has declared his interest in the vacant manager's job at Aston Villa, despite his previous connections with their bitter city rivals Birmingham City.
Bruce, who is one of the front-runners for the job, having reportedly held talks with Villa last week, is seemingly undeterred by any potential animosity caused by crossing the city divide.
@DWDrayton I wonder is the Steve Bruce weight loss DVD going to be out in time for Christmas? #hcafc pic.twitter.com/C9hkJ0kPl2
"?"?Bruce's hugely impressive record of having led sides to promotion into the Premier League on four separate occasions looks set to be enough for Villa to risk incurring the wrath of their fans as they chase an immediate return to the top flight.
New Villa Park owner Dr Tony Xia assembled a squad at great expense during the summer, and showed his ruthless streak in dispensing with manager Roberto di Matteo after just eleven games of the season, as the Villans sit in nineteenth position in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.
Speaking on Goals on Sunday about the prospect of replacing Di Matteo, Bruce said, "I've had a chat with [Aston Villa]. That's as far as it's gone.
"They did say they're in a process, which you have to respect. I'm hoping to hear something this week. It would be a terrific job.
"I'm sure everyone would agree that it is one of the big clubs of this country. It needs a little bit of turning round at the moment but they've got huge support and it's a big, big club. Let's hope I hear something."
Bruce is reported to be on a shortlist of two, alongside current caretaker manager and Di Matteo's former assistant Steve Clarke, and is believed to be the preferred choice due to his greater experience as a manager.
The initial ill-feeling from Villa fans at the prospect of Bruce's appointment has faded, in light of the alternative being a comparatively inexperienced manager in Clarke, who is also tarnished by his links to Di Matteo's failed regime.