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Aston Villa news: Steve Bruce's side to win promotion by Championship star
ASTON VILLA are a sure-fire bet to win promotion to the Premier League.
Reading midfielder Dave Edwards is tipping Aston Villa for promotion
That is according to Reading star Dave Edwards, who believes Steve Bruce’s side are the in-form team in the Championship.
Saturday’s 3-1 win against Barnsley helped Villa cut the gap to second-placed Juventus to just three points.
And when asked if Villa can challenge for promotion, Edwards told Football on 5: The Championship: “I think so. I think at the start of they season they were stuttering a bit. They’ve found a bit of form.
“I think they’re going to be in with a shout [of automatic promotion].
“You look at Derby and Cardiff but I think they’re the in-form team at the moment.
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Steve Bruce's side are currently fourth in the Championship table
They’ve got so much quality in the squad and a very experienced manager in Steve Bruce
“They’ve got so much quality in the squad and a very experienced manager in Steve Bruce so I think they’ll be up there right up there at the end of the season.”
Scott Hogan bagged a brace against Barnsley to make it four goals in three games.
The £12million striker has struggled for form since his switch from Brentford last January but Edwards believes he is a “great asset” for Villa.
“He’s a pest,” the Wales international said. “He really is. He works so hard.
“I remember at Brentford he would run the channels relentlessly. He’s big and physical as well.
“He’s a great asset to have in any team.”
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Scott Hogan is a 'pest', according to Dave Edwards
Meanwhile, Birkir Bjarnason has admitted he was desperate to leave the club a few weeks ago.
“Only two to three weeks ago, I was certain that I would leave the club,” he said.
“I really wanted to leave, but now I have completely changed my mind. I am not going anywhere!
“I have taken part in our last four matches, but before that I had not played for a long time.
“Now everything looks great. It has been going really well, both for me and the team, and I am really optimistic.”