London, Dec 15(ANI): Sunderland manager Steve Bruce reckons that Aston Villa will smash the dominance of the Big Four's Premier League and gatecrash the Champions League qualifying places this season.
Bruce's comments came after Villa's brilliant performance on Saturday, when they defeated reigning League champions Manchester United 1-0, which lifted them up into fourth place.
"The League is possibly the most competitive it's been. The likes of Villa, Man City and Spurs are making a big push to compete. It's no longer a foregone conclusion for the top four, who have been there seven or eight years," The Sun quoted Bruce, as saying.
"If anyone is going to break into the top four my money would be on Villa. It's just the way Martin (Villa manager Martin O'Neill) goes about his job. He is very shrewd in the transfer market and they have frightening pace and ability," he added.
Bruce also said that he has huge respect for Martin having worked alongside him in the Midlands at Birmingham. (ANI)