Shropshire Star

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard focused on job in hand

Steven Gerrard insists he is focusing on the task at hand and blocking out outside noise as pressure mounts on his position at Villa.

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One win in four Premier League games sees Gerrard needing an improved display and result heading into tonight’s clash with high-flying Arsenal.

His opposite number Mikel Arteta had a tough start at Arsenal but after the club stuck with him, they have now made a 100 per cent start to the current campaign.

Although Gerrard is well aware of modern football and the short time managers get to make an impact, he is not focusing on any potential sacking.

“Listen, it’s 2022. I am very much aware that reactions happen certainly if you have been in a run of results like we have in the last four in the league,” he said.

“I don’t control decisions at any other club or with me in this situation, I just focus on my job and try and be the best version of myself.

“Hopefully that’s enough to help the players be in the best prepared place going into Arsenal. That’s all my focus is on.

“I don’t think one good result will make everything rosy in the garden, I don’t think that will be the case. But if we can find a big result against Arsenal it will certainly help everyone and that’s the challenge and the plan and what we want.

“We want to get the balance right. We want to be organised, I think you’ve got to be organised to go to the Emirates against a team who is top of the league. We have to be diligent with our organisation and defensive work. Everyone has to be all in and committed and then that should give us a base to maybe be expansive at times and at moments. We’ve shown against teams that we carry a punch and a threat. Just like Fulham in the last 90 minutes they hurt Arsenal at key times. We want to execute those situations if they arise in this game.”