Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce brands Mile Jedinak criticism "unfair" with Australian set to continue in defence

The 34-year-old has moved back from his more familiar position in midfield to partner skipper James Chester following John Terry’s summer exit.

Villa have struggled defensively, conceding 12 goals in eight Championship games to date, with Tuesday’s 2-0 home win over Rotherham their first clean sheet of the campaign.

Jedinak was restored to central defence for the visit of the Millers, having been replaced by Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe for last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Blackburn.

And he is set to keep his place when Sheffield Wednesday visit Villa Park on Saturday, with Bruce adamant he can be a long-term solution.

He said: “I am convinced Mile Jedinak will be a centre-half. I saw it the other night. He has been, in my opinion, unfairly criticised because results have not gone for us.

“If you analyse the goals we have conceded, we have had far too many individual errors, far too many. However, the team for me has not functioned defensively.

“I think I know what I am talking about with a centre-back. I am convinced it is his way forward. He proved it the other night. He provides a certain physicality which the team don’t have if he is not in it.”

Bruce also confirmed free agent centre-back James Collins is currently training at Bodymoor Heath.

The 35-year-old, who previously played for Villa between 2009 and 2012, currently has a hamstring injury but could be signed on a short-term deal once fit.

“I have known him a long time,” said Bruce. “We have invited him up to first get his hamstring fit and come and train with us and we will take if from there.

“It’s exactly the same sort of situation to what we had previously with Chris Samba. James has good experience, with a certain physicality about him which I think we need. He’s here and we will see how he gets on.”