Steve Bruce has injected a new lease of life into Aston Villa Football Club since his appointment as manager almost three weeks ago.

The former Hull and Birmingham boss took over from the sacked Roberto di Matteo with Villa 19th in the Sky Bet Championship, having won just one of their first 11 league games.

However, since his arrival, Villa have picked up two wins and two draws in the league, including their first away league win in 437 days at Reading a few weeks ago, and a 1-1 draw at arch-rivals Birmingham City on Sunday.

Villa are still languishing in the bottom half though, and Bruce knows that he has got a big job on his hands to turn the Midlands club from relegation fodder to potential promotion candidates.

Thus, he may need some fresh faces brought through the door in January, and here are THREE midfielders he could look to sign when the transfer window reopens in the New Year…

Diego Poyet

This is a deal that doesn’t need to wait until January, as Diego Poyet is unattached after his West Ham contract was cancelled in September.

He only made ten appearances for the Hammers in his two-year stay in East London – the last of which coming in their Europa League defeat to Astra Giurgui in August of last year.

Loan spells at MK Dons and Charlton suggest that he can still do a job in the Football League, and it might be worth Bruce giving him a chance at Villa, as he looks to bring fresh energy and ideas to his Villa team.

Callum McManaman

Callum McManaman has fallen down the pecking order at West Brom, and looks set to move away from the Hawthorns sooner rather than later.

The 25-year-old was brought to the club by Tony Pulis back in January 2015, but has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, starting just seven times for the Baggies.

He has yet to net for West Brom in his 20-month spell at the Hawthorns, and it doesn’t look like he is going to get a chance to score his first goal for the club any time soon.

He shot to fame when at Wigan a few years ago, and he’s still got the ability to cause full-backs numerous problems.

He needs somewhere to resurrect his career, and that could be at Aston Villa.

Ben Watson

Out of favour at Watford, Ben Watson could be a useful loan signing for Villa in the second half of the season.

The central midfielder has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, one of which saw him come on and then get sent off just 25 minutes later in their 1-1 draw at Southampton.

Even at the age of 31, Watson, who scored the goal to win the FA Cup for Wigan back in 2013, can control the game from midfield, and is assured and confident on the ball.

It’s his guile and experience in the middle of the park that could help a Villa side looking to climb up the Championship table, so a loan deal could take place in January.