Aston Villa has hired Steve Bruce to replace Roberto Di Matteo as manager.

Bruce said on Sunday that managing Villa would be a “terrific job” and was quietly confident he would land the position.

Bruce will inherit a team languishing in 19th place in the table after winning only once this season.

Tony Xia, Villa’s Chinese owner, had hoped they would secure an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation at the end of last season.