Newcastle United secured promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking as they guaranteed themselves a top two finish in the Championship by beating Preston North End 4-1 at St James’ Park on Monday night.
The Magpies will return to the top flight after a one-year absence, but they won’t be joined by the team they were relegated alongside last season – Aston Villa – with the Midlands outfit looking set for a mid-table finish.
Villa were one of the pre-season favourites alongside Rafa Benitez’s men to go up but a poor start to the campaign under former manager Roberto Di Matteo and a disappointing spell at the start of 2017 under current boss Steve Bruce means they will spend another year at this level.
Despite their underwhelming season, Bruce will be confident that his team can follow in the footsteps of United and return to the Premier League next term.
Here are four reasons why Aston Villa will replicate their Championship rivals…
They’ve got Steve Bruce
Given an entire Championship campaign at the helm and a full pre-season to sign the players he wants and to work with them, there is no doubt that Bruce is capable of leading Villa to a top two finish next season.
The former Hull City boss has won promotion to the Premier League on four occasions before and he will know exactly the type of players he needs to bring to Villa Park in the summer.
They have players who know this level
Alongside the likes of Jonathan Kodjia, Mile Jedinak and James Chester who have all proven themselves at this level, Steve Bruce further improved his squad with the additions of Henri Lansbury, Scott Hogan and Conor Hourihane during the January transfer window.
They are individuals that are established Championship players but also have the potential to make an impact in the Premier League too, and Bruce will be searching for a similar calibre of star this summer.
They have a strong defence
Even though they look set for a mid-table finish this season, it certainly hasn’t been because of Aston Villa’s defence.
The Midlands outfit have conceded just 46 goals – the same number they have scored at the other end – in their 44 Championship matches this term and Steve Bruce will know that if he can keep the likes of Mile Jedinak, James Chester, Nathan Baker and Sam Johnstone at the club, he can expect a similar resoluteness next year.
Agbonlahor could be like a new signing
The 30-year-old striker looked set to leave Villa Park this summer with his contract due to expire and after being omitted from the first team squad by Roberto Di Matteo last season, but he was given another chance by Steve Bruce.
After getting himself fit and recovering from a hamstring injury, the attacker scored the winning goal against arch-rivals Birmingham City on Sunday and he could be like a new signing if he is handed a new deal and can get back to the goalscoring form he has shown over the last decade or so.
Do you agree, Villa fans? Let us know below…