Steven Gerrard sack: Pundits name two major reasons that forced Aston Villa to act; big-name replacement talked up

Two major factors played a part in Aston Villa’s decision to sack Steven Gerrard after the defeat at Fulham, according to a trio of pundits.

Villa have won just twice in the league this season and only sit above the relegation zone on goals scored after they suffered a 3-0 mauling at Craven Cottage, with Douglas Luiz seeing red just after the hour mark.

A club spokesman said: “We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.”

Gerrard succeeded Dean Smith as Villa manager in November 2021 after leaving his role at Rangers.

But the England and Liverpool legend led Villa to only 13 wins from 40 games during his 11 months in charge.

And speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, former England skipper Alan Shearer cited the obvious, in that results were not good enough. However, he feels the injury to big summer signing Diego Carlos and the captaincy debacle also forced Villa‘s decision.

Shearer said: “I’m not shocked, it’s a results business. The owners will have looked at that performance tonight and listened to his reaction saying he was shocked by that performance.

“That means looking at attitudes, performances, sendings off… So when you put all those things together – and that’s why the decision has been made immediately after the game.

“I think everything that could have gone wrong, has gone wrong too.

“The decision he made with the captaincy and how that happened (with Tyrone Mings). Then the injury to the new signing Diego Carlos, means he has to go back to Mings and bring him back into the side.

“It’s really difficult and how does that affect the harmony in the dressing room.”

Villa players also to blame 

Former Villa striker Emile Heskey also feels the captaincy decision played a part. However, he claims the players need to look at themselves as well.

He added: “The players have to take responsibility. Have they done enough? Stevie has made John McGinn captain so he has a massive responsibility too.”

Former England stopper Paul Robinson claims Villa need to act quickly to snap up Mauricio Pochettino.

He said: “You look at how many times you get to employ a top manager. Mauricio Pochettino, he’s out there and out of work and linked with the club already.

“You look at other teams in the Premier League who have missed out on managers because other teams have got there first.

“Maybe that had something to do with the decision as well.”

READ MORE: Arsenal tipped to make £60million midfield signing after cunning Aston Villa plan exposed