Steve Bruce tells Aston Villa's foreign stars: Speak English

The club's dressing room contains a number of French speakers and they have now been asked to converse in English when at Villa Park or the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground, in the hope it will help bring the group closer together.

Bruce explained: "The French are speaking French, but the one thing we've said to them is that, if they're talking to each other, we demand they talk in English so we know what they're talking about.

Make no mistake, they've been good as gold. Football is a common language but it obviously helps if I can hear the banter and what they're talking about in English so that I can go along with it, if that's what I need to hear.

"Maybe they're calling me a few names – but that's okay as well. I treat everyone like they should be, they've knuckled down and worked their socks off, in the couple of weeks we've been here. It's my job to make sure that whatever language you speak, you're ready for the challenge ahead."

Villa have taken seven point from a possible nine since Bruce replaced Roberto Di Matteo as manager earlier this month and are heading into Sunday's Second City Derby with their tails up.

"I know one game doesn't repair the damage but it certainly helps," said Bruce. "Some clubs are used to going up and down and the supporters accept it. The supporters of this club aren't going to accept it. You have to win back a bit of trust."