Steven Gerrard says Aston Villa ‘need results and quick’ after Premier League home loss to West Ham

Under-pressure Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard says fans were justified in booing his players after their home defeat to West Ham on Sunday.

Misfiring Villa slipped to a third defeat in their opening four Premier League matches this season and have won only three of their last 15 top-flight matches under the manager appointed last November.

Supporters made their feelings clear as the final whistle condemned their side to their latest loss courtesy of the only goal of the game by Pablo Fornals in the 74th minute.

Villans boss Steven Gerrard was pleased with his players’ first-half showing but not the result

Gerrard told BBC Sport: ‘Our fans have shown their frustrations today. They deserve to do that because we expected to be in a better place than we’re in.

‘The only way to put it right is to roll your sleeves up. I’m in — I hope the players feel the same.

‘I said to the players at half-time, “we need to take the points away from West Ham if we can, continue to do what we’re doing, control, counter-pressing well, keep asking questions.”

‘But we couldn’t find that bit of quality to get ourselves in front. We need results and we need them quick.’

The hosts seemed in control during the first half but pressure is continuing to build on Gerrard

Ezri Konsa had a first-half goal ruled out for the hosts when Lucas Digne’s corner was adjudged to have gone out of play before his fellow defender converted. 

‘We were unlucky with the goal we scored from a set play in the first half and then obviously a big moment went against us, a deflected goal in probably one of the only attacks we really faced in the game,’ rued Gerrard.

‘And then the game became open and end-to-end. We were taking more risks and throwing subs at it to try to find that bit of quality to get back in the game.

‘That left us open at times. We’ve ended up losing a close one but we haven’t got enough points on the board so that feels tough.’ 

Boos rang out from supporters at the final whistle as frustrated fans made their feelings known

Villa are two points clear of bottom side Leicester in 15th after also losing at Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

Gerrard praised his players’ effort and application and pledged to try to help them arrest their slide when they face opponents who have won all four of their matches and are top of the table at Arsenal on Wednesday. 

‘I’m looking forward to the game and I want to give these players the support they need,’ said Gerrard ahead of Villa’s attempt to avoid defeat for the first time in three encounters with the Gunners.

‘It’s got to come from within. Last week, against Crystal Palace, we were nowhere near good enough. We were a lot better today but the outcome’s the same.’