BUY INTO MY PLANS

Gerrard wants players onboard with his ideas and he’ll spend to improve Villa

STEVEN GERRARD admits changes are needed to improve the mentality at

Aston Villa – but is still aiming for a top-10 finish.

Villa are 13th after a slump of one win in seven and one point from the last three games, which have all been against teams below them, while failing to score in their last two.

Boss Gerrard, 41, is preparing for today’s clash at Brighton, the team he faced in his first game as Villa boss in November.

Back then Villa won 2-0 to kickstart a run of four victories in his first six games.

But the Liverpool legend is learning more about his squad in adversity than triumph as he eyes what would be Villa’s first top-10 finish since 2010-11 – under Gerrard’s late exreds boss Gerard Houllier.

“This is when you learn about your players and realise and identify the areas of the squad which need changing at the next possible chance,” said Gerrard.

“But we believe we can finish in a strong position. This club has not finished in the top 10 for more than a decade, so that is still a possibility.” Gerrard used his first transfer window to bring in Philippe Coutinho (below) on loan from Barcelona, Lucas Digne from Everton and Calum Chambers from Arsenal.

But he believes more recruitment is needed to move Villa on.

“Recruitment is a big thing – identifying the players who maybe can bring that, and playing the players you know have it, but also raising the standards of the club in every department,” said Gerrard.

“It is not something which can change overnight. You have to keep working on it, players need to keep working and believing.

“The reason I believe the group has got it is because when I first came in we won four games in a short space of time.

“Without a doubt we can change where we are right now.”

Villa had 20 shots against Watford last weekend but only one on target and lost 1-0.

“We haven’t scored goals so we need to find our edge and ruthlessness in the final third and around the box,” admitted Gerrard.

“But, with the talent we’ve got and the options I’m putting onto the pitch, we need to start scoring goals.”

FEELING THE PACE Steven Gerrard’s side have hit a bad run but the Villa boss vowed to get his players in the winning mood again