Aston Villa

Aston Villa

Premier League • England

Steven Gerrard sack talk intensifies amid worrying claim over Aston Villa owners as date is set on possible axe

Steven Gerrard manager of Aston Villa after the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester.

Aston Villa are reportedly giving serious thoughts to sacking Steven Gerrard amid claims the owners are massively underwhelmed by the impact he has had since taking charge at Villa Park.

The former Rangers manager made the move the Midlands giants in November last year – and initially had a big impact on results. Taking over from the sacked Dean Smith, he immediately had Villa upwardly mobile. He arrived at the club having led Rangers to the 2021 Scottish Premiership title.

Those hopes grow on the back of a highly-produtive January transfer window. Indeed, with Philippe Coutinho arriving on loan from Barcelona, they were also able to add Lucas Digne, Calum Chambers and Robin Olsen.

Villa ultimately finished the 2021/22 season in 14th – six points adrift of a top-half finish.

But hopes of a better season this time around were buoyed by more significant summer investment. To that end, Villa spent close to £60m making Coutinho’s loan permanent and also signing the likes of Boubacar Kamara, Leandro Dendoncker and Diego Carlos.

However, the loss to a serious Achilles injury of Carlos in only his second game for the club was a major blow.

And little has gone right for the club since then following a string of mediocre results.

Villa currently find themselves down in 16th place, with just two wins from nine games all season. And recent underwhelming performances in drawing at Nottingham Forest and at 10-man Leeds have done little to lift the mood.

Now, according to Football Insider, discussions have been held at Villa Park over the possibility of sacking Gerrard.

Steven Gerrard sack talk factors emerge

They claim the club’s owners Naseef Sawiris and Wes Edens are concerned at the lack of progress in Gerrard’s 11 months in charge.

Citing a well-placed source within the club, the US-based owners will hold further talks to decide Gerrard’s fate. And the club will decide whether to stick with Gerrard before their cut-off point, which is revealed as before the World Cup.

That means Gerrard may have just seven games left to prove to Sawiris and Edens that he is the right man for the job.

Villa face a hectic run of games before breaking off for the World Cup on November 13.

Next up is a tricky clash against Graham Potter’s improving Chelsea. And what follows are matches with Fulham, Brentford, Newcastle, Man Utd twice (once in the Carabao Cup) and then finally Brighton.

As such, a decision on his future is likely to be made then.

But the report claims that Sawiris and Edens are also aware of discontment among supporters. A portion of them chanted “we want Gerrard out” following the full-time whistle at the City Ground on Monday evening.

Gerrard has been unlucky – but results should be better

Gerrard and Villa have been unfortunate this season with a string if injuries limiting their options.

That was best summed up the potentially season-ending blow sustained by Carlos in only his second game. Since then, Digne and Kamara have also succumbed to knocks, while Matty Cash also missed out at Leeds.

However, Gerrard seems uncertain as to what is his best side at Villa. Both Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins have rotated, while Emiliano Buendia has also been in and out the side as Gerrard struggles to fit in both the Argentine and Coutinho.

The situation may get worse for Villa in January, with midfield mainstay Douglas Luiz also likely to depart. To that end, the tigerish midfielder has reportedly informed friends where he wants to play next.

Despite that, results really ought to have been better. Villa played with a lack of confidence and conviction in both their recent draws.

Indeed, wins at both Forest and Leeds were there for the taking with a braver, more clinical display. Watkins, in particular, was especially wasteful at Leeds.

Next up though, against Chelsea, will not be easy. Potter’s side have won their last four, including back-to-back wins over AC Milan.

And a loss for Villa could leave the club in the relegation zone if other results go against them.

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