Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Steve Bruce has been told he can do whatever it takes in the January transfer window to maintain Aston Villa’s upwards push.

New Villa chief Bruce has been given assurances he can spend heavily after he stopped the rot since taking over last month from the sacked Roberto Di Matteo.

The Villans have not lost in their five games so far under a man who has masterminded four Championship promotion campaigns since 2002, and made it three wins in four matches by beating Blackburn on Saturday.

(Image: Aston Villa FC via Getty)

The club’s decision-makers are keeping the exact details close to their chest, but Bruce held meetings with his technical staff this week and is believed to have a considerable pot to spend.

He has already identified areas for strengthening – Villa’s left flank is a particular cause for concern – and he is also determined to bring in fresh faces throughout the spine of his team.