Steve Bruce aiming to repay Aston Villa's loyal fans

The claret and blue army has been out in force this season, selling out every away game so far and topping the Championship league table for the biggest average travelling support.

And home crowds have also held up well despite relegation from the top flight of English football with gates still averaging almost 32,000 so far this season – putting Villa second behind Newcastle.

And that support has delighted Bruce, who remains undefeated in his six games in charge.

He said: "When a club is relegated in a certain manner – the way it was – there's going to be disharmony from the supporters because they don't want to see their team go down.

"They want to cheer their team on and have a team that they can support and enjoy watching.

"We have obviously had to turn that around. We have had small shoots of recovery, that's all they are at the moment though.

"We have been getting big crowds and have sold out our allocation in every away game this season.

"They have showed their loyalty and what the club means to them. It's up to us to produce a team that is worthy of that support."

Meanwhile, Villa are reported to be looking to beef up their attacking options in January – at a time when hot-shot Jonathan Kodjia will be departing for the African Cup of Nations.

Rumours persist that the club could go back in for Hull City striker Abel Hernandez despite his astronomical wage demands ending any interest in the summer. Jordan Rhodes could also be in the frame after growing frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities at Middlesbrough.