Steve Bruce's belief in Aston Villa unshaken ahead of Fulham clash

Last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Molineux ended an eight-game unbeaten run which had seen Bruce’s team climb from the bottom three to within a point of the top six.

But while accepting Nuno’s Wolves were simply better on the day, Bruce has been wary to read too much into one result ahead of Saturday’s home game with Fulham, when his team will be aiming to get back to winning ways.

“You can’t just analyse one game. We did not play anywhere near the level we can but we have lost one in nine,” said Bruce.

“Now we have to regroup and rediscover what got us to where we got to. We got beaten last week by Wolves, we hold our hands up.

“All the faff and all the rest of it. You would think they had won the Premier League after beating us. We will remember that, while accepting on the day they were better.

“There is a long way to go yet.”

Bruce did however admit some regret at not making changes to his starting XI for the derby clash, after claiming the international break may have been a factor in Villa’s sluggish performance at Molineux.

Forward duo Jonathan Kodjia and Keinan Davis in particular appeared well off the pace and Bruce admitted both may need resting at some point.

Kodjia has only recently returned from a broken ankle, while 19-year-old Davis is enjoying his first run in the first-team, having broken through earlier this season.

Bruce said: “Maybe it has caught up with him a little. Physically it is a hard slog for a young boy. He is still growing too, even though he is already big and powerful.

“I think last week we were beaten by the better team. It is a team game. Of course you analyse individuals and how they did. Let’s make no mistake, since I paired the two of them (Davis and Kodjia) together we scored three at Barnsley, four at Burton and looked a big threat.

“They are going to go up and down a bit. Keinan is a young lad but he has had a wonderful impact. It’s up to me to manage him as best I can and look for the tell tale signs when he does go up and down.

“Kodjia will be OK. I am convinced of that. We just have to be patient. He might need a rest at some points. That might be the case.”