OWEN Coyle is predicting an exciting clash at Villa Park tomorrow and insists old pal Steve Bruce will expect to be pushed all the way by his Rovers side.

Bruce has been in the Villa hotseat for less than a month since replacing Roberto Di Matteo, who lasted only 12 games.

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The former Hull manager has a talented and expensive squad available to him, which already included Premier League regulars such as Micah Richards, Alan Hutton and Ashley Westwood.

That group was bolstered with a summer spending spree that saw Villa splash out £12million on striker Ross McCormack from Fulham, £10m for Bristol City’s Jonathan Kodjia and £8m on West Brom centre-back James Chester.

Australian international Mile Jedinak (£4m), goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini (£4.25m) and Aaron Tshibola (£5m) were also brought in for large fees.

Bruce’s record is won two and drawn two, with the latest point gained from a 1-1 result in the derby clash with Birmingham last Sunday.

But Coyle says while his side will respect the quality of their opponents, they are ready to toe to toe with them in a battle for vital Championship points.

And he says it’s exactly the kind of game he wants to be involved in at one of the most famous grounds in the country.

The Rovers manager said: “Aston Villa had a good squad of players last year and they added to it by spending £70m to £80m in the summer.

“They spent a lot of money on some very good players “Roberto Di Matteo will probably feel that if he was given the time that would have come around for them. As it was they’ve made a change and Steve Bruce has come in.

“Steve is someone I know very well and we had a good chat in the summer when he was still manager at Hull City.

“They’ve had a mini resurgence, they drew last week against Birmingham, had a couple of tight victories against Reading and at home against Fulham.

“I saw them in the Wolves game, and Wolves were outstanding in the first half and probably should have won that game.

“So we go there knowing that if we’re at our very best and we’re really positive, standing toe to toe and being on the front foot, it’s a great environment and those are the games you want to play in - against the best players and the best teams.

“We’ll go out there, be really positive and try to win a tough game.”

Former Rovers favourite Rudy Gestede could be back in the Villa starting line-up as Bruce looks to cover for the suspension of Jordan Ayew.

The Frenchman is likely to start through the middle with Kodjia pushed out wide.

Bruce could also keep controversial striker Gabby Agbonlahor among his replacements.

Coyle added: “Having Rudy Gestede on the bench shows they’ve got some very good players and we’re very respectful of that.

“But Steve will know we’ve got some good players and will have seem how well we played last week, dominating against Wolves, and I think it’s going to make it a very good game.”