Aston Villa eye two potential replacements as pressure on Steven Gerrard ramps up after poor start

Aston Villa have their eyes on two potential managerial appointments, as Steven Gerrard faces pressure following a poor start to the season.

The appointment of Gerrard at Villa last season seemed a good one. Indeed, he won three of his first four games in charge of the club.

While the Villans only managed a 14th-placed finish, many assumed there would be a big upturn in form after the summer window.

Gerrard has clearly been given licence to shape the squad to his liking. The signings of big players such as Philippe Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos show that.

However, things have not quite panned out how Gerrard would have hoped so far this campaign. After four Premier League games, Villa sit one point above the relegation zone, in 15th place.

The Midlanders have won one game and lost three, including an opening-day loss to newly-promoted Bournemouth, who have since sacked manager Scott Parker.

Indeed, there is pressure on Gerrard to get his side into gear already. That pressure will not be helped by Villa reportedly compiling a list of potential replacements.

Villa’s owners could well show Gerrard the door if things do not improve. Football Insider names two managers who could potentially take over from the former Liverpool star at the club.

Brighton manager Graham Potter is reportedly the top target. He will apparently be ‘sounded out’ regarding his potential interest in the role.

Former Premier League manager Mauricio Pochettino is also supposedly high up on the list.

Both managers good Gerrard replacements

Both Potter and Pochettino seem good managers to lead Villa, should Gerrard be relieved of his duties. The pair both have a good deal of Premier League experience.

Brighton and Villa have both been of a similar standard in the Premier League over the past few seasons. However, there has been a clear upturn under Potter at the Amex in the past couple of seasons.

The Englishman guided them to the top half of the table last season, as the Seagulls finished ninth. Furthermore, they currently sit fourth, having not lost a game yet this season.

Similarly, Pochettino guided Southampton to a top-half finish, just two seasons after promotion from the Championship. He has since gone on to manage big sides such as Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain.

As such, he is certainly the type of manager Villa should be looking at, in order to guide them back to big-club status.