Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has revealed that he already has one January signing "in the bag", with another deal on the verge of being agreed.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Bruce told reporters that he is seeking new players that will "improve the squad dramatically" as the Villans continue their ascent up the Championship table.

The manager refused to name the players involved, but it is thought that one of the two is a goalkeeper, while the other is likely to be a new centre-back or central midfielder.

"I already have one I hope in the bag, verbally. That will be good for us," Bruce said. "By this afternoon I possibly could have two, which would be a really good addition to us.

"I will only bring in people now who will improve the squad dramatically. In the past, if I am going to be critical, I don't think that has been the case here. We have just brought in numbers and I think that is a mistake. If you only bring in numbers to fill up the squad then you don't become better.

"We have to have a squad which is highly competitive and making sure we do become better. The players who have been here this last eight weeks have done well, in general. I don't have to make wholesale changes because for the last eight weeks we are on course."

Since his appointment in October, Bruce has suffered just one defeat in his eight league games in charge at Villa Park.