Steve Bruce has confirmed that he has opened discussions with Aston Villa about taking over as the club's new manager.
The Villans have been on the lookout for a new boss since parting company with Roberto Di Matteo last weekend on the back of a poor start to their Championship campaign.
Bruce soon emerged as the frontrunner to replace Di Matteo at Villa Park, having himself been out of work since the summer when leaving Hull City just weeks after guiding the Tigers back to the Premier League.
With Villa's search for a fifth permanent manager in 18 months seemingly reaching a conclusion, Bruce was quick to talk up the potential of the West Midlands outfit.
"I've had a chat with [them], and that's as far as it's gone," he told Sky Sports News. "They did say they were in a process, which you have to respect.
"I'm hoping that I'll hear something this week. It'd be a terrific job - I'm sure everyone would agree, it's one of the big clubs in this country.
"It needs a little bit of turning around at the moment, but they've got a huge support. It's a big club, so let's hope I hear something this week."
Villa find themselves two points above the relegation zone in 19th place after winning just one of their opening 11 games.
Daniel Lewis
