Bruce wary of revitalised Villa

Steve Bruce says he fears his Sunderland side is facing Aston Villa just as Gerard Houllier’s men begin to click into top gear.

The Black Cats will run out at Villa Park on Wednesday aware that their opponents will have been buoyed by a spirited 3-3 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

And Bruce says he can see his opponents beginning to turn around what has been a difficult season for them so far.

“I watched the Chelsea game and Villa look back to their best,” he said.

“They looked like the team which has finished in the top six over the last couple of years and I think that’s because they are no longer hamstrung by injuries or suspensions.”

“Maybe the real old Aston Villa is about to surface again. Either way, it will be a tough old game, we know that.”

“It always is at Villa Park and we won’t be deceived by the fact they’re in the bottom half of the table. Yes, their form hasn’t been great, but they’ll have been given a lift by the Chelsea result and they’ll want to improve on their away form this evening.”

Bruce’s squad has been stretched to the limit by the tough fixture list and – already without injury victims Fraizer Campbell, Michael Turner and John Mensah – they are going to have to try and impress at Villa Park without tough-tackling skipper Lee Cattermole.

Bruce added: “As I said before, this ludicrous schedule of fixtures, it takes a toll on the players and that has proven to be the case with Lee Cattermole.”

“He has a back injury and he’s aggravated it. Thankfully it’s not a stress fracture, but we’ve been advised to give him complete rest for a month and that will mean he’ll miss January.”