Former Liverpool great Steven Gerrard admits he has lots to proved in order to earn the right to create an Aston Villa legacy.
41-year-old Gerrard has gallantly taken Villa to a creditable 14th placing after assuming the position of boss in November ahead of Sunday’s Premier League finale at Manchester City.
An ensuing victory will see the Etihad hosts clinch a fourth title in five seasons under Pep Guardiola but a slide will open the gates to Gerrard’s former club Liverpool, who are only a point behind and are hosting Wolves.
Gerrard made the observation that City and Liverpool have given Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp adequate time to succeed in their endeavors, something he clearly desires as well.
The Villa boss said: “I don’t think, I hope. I’ve got to earn and show that I deserve time and patience. In a short space of time, the first part of the remit was to get the team in a safe position in the league.
“I think we had a really positive window in January, a very difficult time to get support and additions. We’ve got a big summer window and a big pre-season to try and come back better and stronger next year.
“I’m very confident and believe there’s enough here with the right support and the right additions to really kick on next year and come back better.”
Villa’s record at the Etihad stadium has been consistent, having lost their last 10 league games there with the last time they earned a point there being in 2007, besides not having scored there for seven years.
Gerrard said: “I don’t think anyone finds it easy, they’re at the top of the league for a reason. They’re at the latter stages of the Champions League for a reason.
“They are there consistently. They’ve got world-class players and a top manager, but there is a lot of pressure on them at the weekend.
“We will go there as best prepared as we can and try and make it as difficult as we can. Why? Because we want to be in a better place than 14th and we need some more points.”