Fuming Gerrard says he will wield the axe

STEVEN GERRARD tore into his Aston Villa players and vowed to make changes to the team after a performance he described as ‘nowhere near’ good enough. The visitors had just one shot on target despite trailing for an hour and, save for a slight improvement early in the second half when ollie watkins had a goal ruled out for offside, they never looked like taking anything from the game. Gerrard was clearly irritated on the touchline and his mood had not improved by the time he came to reflect half an hour after full time. ‘It was a really bad day for us,’ he said. ‘I’m surprised by the performance. There was no sign of that in the preparation. ‘we did not deserve anything from the game, that was clear. Changes need to be made to the team.’ Asked where his side had come up short, Gerrard (right) said: ‘A lot of areas on that evidence. what we created was a concern. our set-pieces for and against were poor. ‘Newcastle didn’t have to play well to beat us. But I have no complaints with the result. It might have been different if that (watkins goal) goes in our favour but you can’t come to the game after 45 minutes. ‘Not too many can be proud of their performance, maybe two or three got close to the level accepted. ‘Across the board we have a lot to work on. The players know we were nowhere near today.’ For Eddie Howe’s side, a foot injury suffered by match-winner Kieran Trippier was the only blot on their third straight victory. He returned from hospital an hour after full time on crutches and wearing a protective boot. Howe said: ‘Kieran got stamped on. we’re keeping everything crossed there’s no broken bone.’