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Sat 11 February 2017 20:23, UK

By Amir Mir

Tony Xia has urged Aston Villa to remain “patient” after they suffered another loss in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Steve Bruce’s side were beaten 1-0 by Ipswich, which saw the Midlands club suffer their first home defeat of the campaign.

At the start of the season, Villa had ambitions of gaining instant promotion back to the Premier League, signing nine players in the summer and a further eight in January.

However, their meltdown from relegation last season where they finished bottom of the Premier League with only three wins continues.

Villa have only won eight games in the second tier this term – only the bottom three have picked up three points on fewer occasions.

After Bruce’s side suffered their third consecutive defeat, this is what owner Xia had to say to supporters as posted on his personal Twitter account.

“I do understand all your frustrations,” said Xia. “But, we have to be patient. There is no need to put extra pressure on the team.”

Sheffield Wednesday currently occupy the final play-off spot and that target of reaching the top six has long gone for Villa as they are now 16 points adrift of the promotion pack.

Bruce will now concentrate on stopping the club’s slump down the table as they are seven points ahead of 22nd-placed Blackburn.

After losing their unbeaten record at home, Bruce’s side will host Barnsley at Villa Park on Tuesday night, with Paul Heckinbottom’s men eager to secure all three points.

The Yorkshire club will see two of their former player, Conor Hourihane and James Bree possibly come up against them, following their departures to Villa in January.

In other Aston Villa news, supporters on Twitter deliver their verdict on Steve Bruce’s future. 

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