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Villa boss Steve Bruce gives credit to Nuno Espirito Santo's ‘improving’ Wolves side

Villa boss Steve Bruce feels Wolves have ‘improved enormously’ under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo.

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Bruce’s charges lost 2-0 at Molineux on Saturday, after an eight-game unbeaten run in the Championship.

“I think that Wolves have improved enormously, let’s be honest,” he said.

“The lads they brought in over the summer, they have got some very, very decent players – and have invested a lot of money.”

Bruce has now spent more than a year in charge of Villa.

His first game was against Wolves, on October 15 last year, which they drew 1-1 at Villa Park – centre forward Jonathan Kodjia’s penalty being cancelled out by Wolves winger Helder Costa’s spot-kick. While disappointed to lose the latest meeting of the two sides, thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini, Bruce is certain his side have made good progress over the past 12 months.

When he took the reins, Villa seemed to be in freefall after dropping down from the Premier League.

They had only won five games in 18 months prior to his arrival – 15 in two years.

His second game at the helm, a 2-1 win at Reading, was their first away triumph in 14 months.

“I believe (we have progressed well), we found it difficult again,” added Bruce.

“You would expect them to be better and I certainly believe that we are better, we just did not do enough on the night.”