Bitter Vill GERRARD BLASTS BLUNT EDGE

STEVEN GERRARD blasted Aston Villa’s shot-shy strikers after his expensively-assembled side were humbled by Premier League new-boys Bournemouth.

Gerrard (below) had challenged his players to prove they could ‘walk the walk’ after stumbling to a 14th-place finish last season.

But it was Gerrard’s former England team-mate Scott Parker who showed his swagger by leading the Cherries to a shock opening-day win.

Columbian midfielder

Jefferson Lerma fired the hosts ahead just three minutes into their topflight return before Wales striker Kieffer Moore’s late bullet header sealed the points.

A frustrated Gerrard said: “It is extremely disappointing and certainly not what we came here for.

“The performance from box to box was okay but we did not create enough. We never had enough shots on goal, never crossed the ball well enough and never showed enough invention.

“We had all our attacking talent on the pitch but did not produce enough quality in the final third. That’s on me, that’s on us.”

Villa’s lack of attacking edge was summed up by a particularly poor showing from £17million Philippe Coutinho. Gerrard: “It was not one of Phil’s better days and he will be the first to admit that.”

Cherries boss Parker has cut a frustrated figure for much of the summer, publicly moaning about the club’s lack of signings.

But his team got their Premier League return off to the perfect start. Lerma fired them in front from close range and Moore put the match out of reach 10 minutes from time.

Parker said: “Kieffer is a different option for us. He suffered with a big injury last season.

“We have worked tirelessly with him and he gives us an option.”