TOUGH AT THE TOP
Gerrard admits he has some hard decisions to make as he calls on Villa to kickstart their campaign
STEVEN GERRARD has admitted he faces “tough decisions” as he urged his players to put a poor run of results behind them.
Gerrard will take charge of his first game as Aston Villa boss against Brighton today on the back of five straight defeats which leaves them just two points above the drop zone.
That will thrust Gerrard straight into a relegation battle but, rather than look for quick fixes in the January transfer window, the former England midfielder says he will give the current squad the chance to turn things around.
The former Rangers manager said: “I’m really looking forward to picking that first XI, that first squad. Straight away there are tough decisions for me to face but I’m really looking forward to doing it.
“When we spoke to the players, we were very clear in not focusing on what has gone on before. We wanted to be positive, upbeat, looking forward to the challenges in front of us.
“We need to be very much aware of our current form but this weekend gives us an opportunity to change it.
“I am sure there will be a full house here, I am sure the fans will be terrific, and we need to give them a performance to be proud of.
“We need more, both individually and collectively. When the players produce that I am confident you will see a change for the better.
“We’re always striving to be better in every department. It’s very important that we analyse the squad we’ve got but to do that we need more training time, we need to face more challenges in terms of games, and then we can pick it up from there. But this club’s got all the structures in place, all the departments in place, and conversations will happen in the background as we always strive to be better.”
Neither Douglas Luiz (below, top) nor Morgan Sanson (middle) will be fit for Gerrard’s first game, though Trezeguet (bottom) has begun training with the first team again.
Villa have one of the best crops of young players in the country and Gerrard is determined to make them a big part of his plans.
He wants to champion the youth policy, keep the young players involved, and introduce more to first-team training sessions.
“We have a responsibility to try and improve every player at Aston Villa,” said Gerrard, who made his Liverpool debut as a teenager way back in 1998, coming on as sub for Vegard Heggem in the last minute against Blackburn Rovers.
“We will give loads of opportunities for youngsters to train with us on the right days and at the right times.
“There’s already half a dozen who have played in the first team, who have taken their opportunity.
“The message to the whole academy, especially the lads who are a lot older and on the fringes of the first team, is that we’ll be watching every move they make on and off the pitch.
“The ball is very much in their court to go and prove they’re capable of being a regular in this team.
“They will get opportunities if they’re good enough.”