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Aston Villa news: Sky Sports pundit SLAMS Steve Bruce’s side
ASTON VILLA have “underperformed” this season, according to Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe.
Steve Bruce's Aston Villa side are currently fifth in the Championship table
Steve Bruce’s side currently sit fifth in the Championship table after a strong autumn made up for a poor start to the campaign but Hinchcliffe believes they should be challenging for automatic promotion.
“Villa are in the play-offs but you'd still argue they've underperformed this season,” he said.
“In terms of quality and experience they've got one of the best squads the Championship has ever seen, but they still haven't really threatened the top two yet.”
Villa have been without skipper John Terry since November while star striker Jonathan Kodjia has been absent for most of the season.
Bruce’s men struggled for results in December but returned to winning ways by thumping Bristol City on New Year’s Day.
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Villa are in the play-offs but you'd still argue they've underperformed this season
And ex-Sheffield Wednesday left-back Hinchcliffe believes that result can kickstart their promotion hopes.
He said: “John Terry has been a big loss in defence and they've missed Jonathan Kodjia for large chunks of the campaign, but the win against Bristol City felt like the first time they've really clicked this season and they should kick on from here.
“They're battling hefty expectation but they should still be one of the sides who really press Derby.”
Andy Hinchcliffe believes Aston Villa should be challenging for automatic promotion
A new striker is high on the agenda for Bruce but he has no money left in the kitty due to Financial Fair Play limitations.
Hinchliffe believes it will be all quiet on the transfer front for Villa, and said: “They've had a huge turnover of players since their relegation and they could do with more time for everyone to gel.
“There's no reason why their current squad isn't enough to win promotion.”