Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard hits back at his critics ahead of his one year anniversary as manager… and insists he will ‘shoulder’ the pressure on his team
- Steven Gerrard has fired back at his critics ahead of Villa’s game with Chelsea
- The Aston Villa manager launched a passionate defence of his 11-month reign
- Gerrard’s side are now unbeaten in four games and remain in the Carabao Cup
- However, they have only managed to win two Premier League games this season
Steven Gerrard has fired back at his Aston Villa critics as he battles to reach his first anniversary in charge.
The Villa boss launched a passionate defence of his 11-month reign in the wake of growing discontent from fans who fear the club of treading water under the former England skipper.
Gerrard’s side are unbeaten in four games and remain in the Carabao Cup. But they have just two Premier League wins this season, and came in for flak after a lacklustre display in the hugely disappointing 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on the back of a frustrating stalemate against 10-man Leeds.
Steven Gerrard has fired back at his critics ahead of Villa’s game with Chelsea on Sunday
Villa sit just three points above the drop zone, with only West Midlands neighbours Wolves having scored fewer top flight goals this season.
Gerrard’s critics claim he has failed to push on since guiding his side to a 14th-place finish 10 points above the relegation zone after replacing Dean Smith mid-way through last season.
Gerrard’s Aston Villa side are now unbeaten in four games and remain in the Carabao Cup
Gerrard insists he’s happy to shoulder the weight of expectation on his team this season
Gerrard insists he’s happy to shoulder the weight of expectation as he called to be given more time to put his stamp on the side. The Liverpool legend said: ‘I took over this team 16th, two points above relegation off the back of five defeats.
‘In my eyes, I can see and feel a progression and realise how close we are to where we need to get to. I also appreciate where we are in the table and people’s opinions, I can understand the pressure, the criticism and where the frustration comes from. I’m not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.’
Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are expected to be at Villa Park for the visit of Chelsea today (Sunday) and Gerrard added: ‘I’m asking for more time, of course. I’m aware that our results should and could have been better, especially in the last two games.
Aston Villa have only managed to win two Premier League games so far this season
‘I don’t want any of the flak being cut. It’s fine. I’ll accept it and I’ll continue to do the job the best way I can. We’ve had some big injuries to some big players and, when I first came into the job, I didn’t expect everything to be different after one or two windows.
‘These situations and challenges when you take them on, they take time. I’m also aware we don’t get time because of results so it’s my job and it’s my responsibility to improve results so I get more time.’
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