Steve Bruce appointed new Aston Villa manager

It's official, Steve Bruce is Aston Villa's new manager, the club have confirmed.

55 year old Bruce has been heavily linked with the job at Villa Park since Roberto Di Matteo's dismissal last week, and now the move has been made official.

Bruce arrives after other managerial targets David Wagner and Sean Dyche reportedly turned down the job, preferring to stay at Huddersfield and Burnley respectively. Steve Clarke - RDM's assistant at Villa - was also considered for the job, but both Dr. Tony and Chief Executive Keith Wyness have decided that Bruce is the best man for the job.

In Steve Bruce, Aston Villa are getting an experienced manager, in both the Premier League and the Championship. He knows how to get teams promoted, as he brought Birmingham City to the Premier League twice (boo!), in addition to Hull City last season. He was also interviewed for the England job last summer, though the FA made the ultimately unwise decision to appoint Sam Allardyce instead.

It is currently uncertain as to whether Bruce will be able to bring his own coaching staff on board, but according to the Birmingham Mail, current assistant Steve Clarke will be departing the club. Fellow RDM-appointed coaches Massimo Battara, Kevin Bond and Massimiliano Marchesi will probably head for the exit door as well.

Bruce's first game in charge will be this Saturday's derby clash at Villa Park against Wolves. With just three days to prepare the side, it might be optimistic to expect too much, but with tough games against Reading, Fulham and Birmingham ahead, Bruce will definitely want to hit the ground running.

Sure, Steve Bruce isn't the most attractive of managerial candidates, but Aston Villa aren't exactly an attractive proposition right now. He could be just what we need.