Steven Gerrard latest: Sky Sports reporter reveals course of action Villa expected to take
Aston Villa are unlikely to sack manager Steven Gerrard in the near future, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
Gerrard’s future as Villans chief has been called into question after a poor start to the campaign. The West Midlanders lost four of their first five top-flight games to sit 19th in the table. And that followed a dreadful end to 2021-2022 when they won just two of their final 11 league games.
The former Liverpool ace was in charge from November 11 last year and had time to put his stamp on the side. But he was unable to inspire his charges, with the Villa Park outfit winning just 13 games all season.
Fans hoped that the summer break might see their heroes wipe the slate clean and come out all guns blazing. However, it has been a lacklustre start to proceedings with just eight points from as many games played.
They have scored only six goals and were unable to get past 10-man Leeds United last time out in a goalless draw.
There have been a few encouraging signs over the past few weeks, with a 1-1 draw at home to champions Manchester City. And a 1-0 triumph over Southampton saw them move up to 15th.
Rumours that the board might take action have been doing the rounds. But Seth feels that would make little sense.
“I can’t see a situation where Villa would sack him simply because they tried so hard in the first place to get him,” he told GiveMeSport.
“They’ve put a lot of investment, not only in Steven Gerrard, but in the playing squad that Steven Gerrard wanted to bring in as well, so they have backed him in the transfer window.”
Gerrard still under pressure despite mini revival
The men in claret and blue now sit 14th and face a trip to Nottingham Forest on Monday night.
Steve Cooper’s side sit rock bottom of the standings and the clash will be seen as one that Aston Villa can win.
Indeed, defeat would heap further pressure on the former Rangers chief ahead of the visit of Chelsea on October 16.
Forest have struggled since investing heavily in new players during the summer window. And Gerrard will hope to take advantage of the situation at the City Ground.
The hosts will be buoyed by the news that manager Cooper has now inked a new long-term deal. The Premier League new boys have shown faith in their manager despite a tough beginning back in the top flight.
It remains to be seen if the Villa board take a similar stance if things do not pick up.
Gerrard faces critical few weeks
The next few games may well determine whether the former England captain keeps his job at Villa Park.
Following the visit of Graham Potter’s men, the Villans travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham before Brentford visit on October 23.
Positive results may see the rumours subside, with a couple of high-profile managers said to be waiting in the wings.
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery and ex-Tottenham chief Mauricio Pochettino have both been linked in recent times.
Emery is currently in charge of Spanish club Villarreal but Pochettino is out of work after departing Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
But Gerrard is the man in possession and still has the backing of the club’s hierarchy. Whether that is still the same at the start of next month only time will tell.
