Steven Gerrard has given his Aston Villa squad a frank assessment of their shortcomings after his biggest ever managerial defeat.
Villa boss Gerrard was dismayed by his side’s second half surrender in their 4-0 home loss to Tottenham on Saturday. It was Villa’s fourth successive loss of the season and the heaviest reverse since Gerrard became a first team boss with Rangers in 2018.
Unhappy Gerrard,41, didn’t hold back in the dressing room following the thrashing after Villa trailed 1-0 at the break. He told his players exactly what he was thinking and said members of the squad need to start working harder for their positions within the club. Gerrard was a serial winner with Liverpool where he won eight major trophies. He wants to see a better work ethic and more dedication from Villa’s players in the run-in. He has guided Villa to mid-table safety in 12th but is urging his squad to produce a top ten finish.
Villa return to action next Saturday at Leicester and have seven games left. Villa’s poor run of form has only strengthened Gerrard’s resolve for a major summer rebuild after taking over in November when the side were 16th after five successive defeats under Dean Smith. Gerrard has the financial backing of billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens for another busy window. In January he signed Philippe Coutinho on loan and bought Lucas Digne , Calum Chambers, Robin Olsen and Kerr Smith.
Gerrard wants to sign Coutinho permanently this summer using Villa’s £33m clause in the loan agreement with Barcelona. He is also targeting a whole new spine to his team with a new defender, central holding midfielder and striker on his list. Brighton ’s Yves Bissouma and Leeds' Kalvin Phillips are Villa’s top midfield targets.
Mali international Bissouma,25, will have just one year left on his Brighton deal this summer and was the subject of a rejected £25m bid in January. Gerrard is also an admirer of Liverpool defender Joe Gomez,24, who has 11 England caps.
But he will face a battle to convince the former Premier League and Champions League winner to join a club without European football. Villa’s owners have spent over £350m on transfers since promotion back to the Premier League in 2019
This summer they are set to splash the cash again but Gerrard wants signings who can make an instant impact. Last summer's recruits including Danny Ings, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey have all struggled for form, fitness and starts this term.
Ings and last season’s top scorer Ollie Watkins have netted just 13 Premier League goals between them and Gerrard wants more options upfront.
