Bruce, 55, left Hull City in July and will succeed Roberto di Matteo, who was sacked on 3 October, at Villa Park.

The club's owner and chairman Dr Tony Xia tweeted to say an announcement will be made, adding: "Time for all to stand together and back the team. Believe we've made the best try."

Villa are 19th in the league table and host Wolves on Saturday.

Shortly after Dr Xia's tweet, Bruce appeared as a pundit on ITV Sport and said: "All I can say is I think I'm in the frame. I'm expecting a phone call tomorrow and we will see what comes from there."

    'Aston Villa would suit Bruce'

Bruce guided Hull City into the Premier League via the Championship play-offs in May prior to leaving, his fourth promotion from the Championship in an 18-year managerial career.

The former Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland boss was interviewed for the England job before Sam Allardyce was appointed in July.

Villa's managerial merry-go-round:

    Tim Sherwood: February to October 2015
    Kevin MacDonald (caretaker): October to November 2015
    Remi Garde: November 2015 to March 2016
    Eric Black (caretaker): March to June 2016
    Roberto di Matteo: June to October 2016

Villa were relegated from the Premier League last season and turned to former Chelsea boss Di Matteo.

However, a run of just one win in 10 Championship matches saw the 2012 Champions League winner sacked after just 124 days in charge.

Bruce, who managed Villa's rivals Birmingham City between 2001 and 2007, will become their sixth manager since Tim Sherwood took charge in February 2015.

Steve Clarke, who served as Di Matteo's assistant and as caretaker following his sacking, was on the club's list of candidates for the role.
Analysis

Pat Murphy, BBC Radio 5 live

How interesting it is going to be on 30 October when Steve Bruce takes the Aston Villa side to his former side Birmingham.

Steve Clarke was highly rated by the recruitment team of Keith Wyness, Villa's chief executive, former Villa manager Brian Little and technical director Steve Round.

Round has known Bruce for a long time, admired him for a long time and has always wanted to work with him.

He has massive experience - four promotions from the Championship to the Premier League. A safe pair of hands. Also, he has that personality, that affability.

He is just the man they need at the moment compared with the aloof Roberto di Matteo. I suspect Bruce will be bringing his own people in as well.

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