Jedinak has featured in Villa's central defence this season since the departure of John Terry.

But the Socceroos skipper has copped plenty with Villa struggling mid- table.

Bruce's side have won only three of nine games and lost to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Despite playing all his career in midfield, his manager now sees him as a central defender.

"I am convinced Mile Jedinak will be a centre-half," he told The Express & Star.

"I saw it the other night. He has been, in my opinion, unfairly criticised because results have not gone for us.

"If you analyse the goals we have conceded, we have had far too many individual errors, far too many.

"However, the team for me has not functioned defensively. I think I know what I am talking about with a centre-back. I am convinced it is his way forward. He proved it the other night.

"He provides a certain physicality which the team don’t have if he is not in it."