Aston Villa owner Dr Tony Xia has vowed that the club will return to the Premier League within two years.

The Midlands side dropped down to the second tier after a disastrous campaign in the top flight last season and have made a less-than-ideal start to life in the Championship, with just one win from their opening 11 games.

That run of form saw Xia sack Roberto Di Matteo and replace him with former Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce in an effort to get the Villans' season back on track.

"I believe Aston Villa will return to the Premier League soon, at most within two years," Xia said in an interview with the South China Morning Post today.

"We will be able to tap the global market in sectors of leisure, healthcare, food and drink, by starting with better engagement with the Villa fans worldwide.

"I took Villa at its worst time. It could not be worse."

Bruce's first game in charge at Villa Park is a feisty encounter with Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.