Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has lavished praise on Steve Bruce's Aston Villa ahead of their Championship playoff clash on Saturday.

Boro will enter the first leg unbeaten in four games, following Patrick Bamford's 96th-minute equaliser against Ipswich Town last weekend.

Despite an impressive string of results for Pulis's team, the former West Bromwich Albion coach is adamant that Villa are the favourites.

"If you had given me a playoff position when I took over the football club, I wouldn't have cared who we were playing, so I can't be judgmental or care or worry about who it is," Pulis said in a post-match press conference.

"We have got Villa, who most probably have the strongest squad in the Championship and it will be a real tough game. They will be big favourites, I'm sure."

The winner of the playoff will face either Fulham or Derby County in the final at Wembley.