Steven Gerrard\u2019s idyllic dream start to life as Aston Villa boss with three wins in his first four games has somehow meandered onto treacherous terrain with him now digging deep into his bag of tricks trying to stop the rot after four losses without any relief.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not difficult to understand the Villa boss\u2019 dismay at his side\u2019s second half capitulation in their 4-0 home loss to Tottenham on Saturday, which was Villa\u2019s fourth successive loss of the season and a stinging slap in the face for Gerrard since he became a first team boss with Rangers in 2018.<\/p>\n
Unhappy, the 41-year-old didn\u2019t refrain from unfurling his blunt assessment of their shortcomings in the dressing room following their debacle, telling in no uncertain terms that the members of the squad need to start working harder for their positions within the club.<\/p>\n
The former Liverpool serial winner with eight major trophies mad it plain he wants to see a better work ethic and more dedication from Villa\u2019s players in the run-in. Although having steered Villa to mid-table safety in 12th<\/sup>, he is putting the pressure on his squad to finish in the top ten.<\/p>\n Villa next return to action this Saturday at Leicester and with seven games left. Their dismal recent run of form has only added to Gerrard\u2019s resolve for a major summer rebuild after taking over in November when the side were 16th after five successive defeats under former manager Dean Smith.<\/p>\n Billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens are backing Gerrard for another busy window after he had signed Philippe Coutinho on loan and bought Lucas Digne , Calum Chambers, Robin Olsen and Kerr Smith in January.<\/p>\n It is Gerrard\u2019s intention to sign Coutinho permanently this summer using Villa\u2019s \u00a333m clause in the loan agreement with Barcelona, while also targeting Brighton\u2019s Yves Bissouma and Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips as his top midfield targets. Bissouma, 25, will have just one year left on his Brighton deal this summer and was the subject of a rejected \u00a325m bid in January.<\/p>\n It is also a known fact that Gerrard is an admirer of Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, 24, who has 11 England caps but convincing the former Premier League and Champions League\u00a0winner to join a club without European football would be something else altogether.<\/p>\n Villa\u2019s owners are set to splash the cash again this summer and have spent over \u00a3350m on transfers since promotion back to the Premier League in 2019.<\/p>\n However Gerrard is focused on signings who can make an instant impact as last summer’s recruits like Danny Ings, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey are currently struggling for form this term with Ings and last season\u2019s top scorer Ollie Watkins having netted just 13 Premier League goals between them.<\/p>\n Gerrard is intent on having more attacking options upfront.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"