Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’M STEVEN GERRARD VILLA BOSS... NOT STEVIE G THE KOP IDOL
The Villa manager’s phone has been red-hot all week but he wants to beat City for his new team, not his old one
ASTON VILLA boss Steven Gerrard is not in the least bit surprised that his phone has been Red-hot this week. The Kop legend has the chance to help deliver the Premier League title to his beloved Liverpool by pulling the rug from under Manchester City.
The consequences of how Villa fare is certainly not lost on one of Anfield’s favourite sons.
He has not been able to escape the noise and has been bombarded with messages of goodwill. “Yes, the phone’s been busy,” admitted Gerrard.
If Villa can prevent a
City win at the Etihad tomorrow then Liverpool can nab the title by beating Wolves to spark a Scouse party.
And Gerrard says if the Reds are crowned champions as a consequence it would be “fantastic”, but emphasises his mind is only on his Villa side.
He prickles at any questioning of his motivation, saying: “In terms of Liverpool, I totally understand and respect the external noise and the questions that have been coming my way for some time.
“They’re involved in a title race, and I spent a lot of time there. It is disappointing when people mention integrity and aim it towards me or any of my players.
“We’ll give it everything to try and get points for Aston Villa and our supporters.
“If that inevitably helps Liverpool, fantastic. But my priority is to try and get points for
Aston Villa.” It was Gerrard’s slip that famously cost Liverpool the title in 2014, when Chelsea beat them to hand the crown to City.
But he enjoys iconic status for his performances to win FA Cups such as ‘The Gerrard Final’ in 2006, a year after starring in Liverpool’s Miracle in Istanbul to land the Champions League.
Gerrard says beating City is hard enough without any other external factors.
“I don’t think anyone finds it easy,” he said. “They’re at the top of the league for a reason. They were at the latter stages of the Champions League for a reason.
“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.
“When I played there was a lot of talk about the top four and for a period that became a top six. But I think it has become quite clear City and Liverpool have been the strongest teams for a long time now and there is a gap forming.”
Both have been afforded patience to build their sides so does Gerrard think that is something he will be given? He added: “I don’t think, I hope. I’ve got to earn and show that I deserve time and patience.
“We’ve got a big summer window to 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.”