Steven Gerrard facing Aston Villa sack amid ‘huge’ claim – pundit
Frank McAvennie has insisted Steven Gerrard will be out of a job next summer if he cannot deliver a top-six finish at Aston Villa.
The former Celtic and West Ham striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 42-year-old has been placed under pressure after Villa’s early spending spree.
Aston Villa have already completed three high-profile additions this summer, with Philippe Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara, and Diego Carlos all joining the Midlands giants.
Gerrard’s side also completed deals for Lucas Digne and Calum Chambers during the January window earlier this year (2022).
However, Aston Villa could only finish 14th in the Premier League after winning just two of their last 11 top-flight games.
McAvennie suggested Villa will be scrapping West Ham and Newcastle for a European berth next season.
“I think these signings were well-needed,” he told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“Gerrard’s remit when he came in will have been to keep Aston Villa in the Premier League.
“They’re now spending big money and they’ll be going for a huge finish next season. They’ll be wanting to fight West Ham and Newcastle for that sixth-place finish.
“Gerrard will have one more season. If he doesn’t deliver, he won’t be there.
“That’s the problem now, managers don’t get time. He needs time, but he hasn’t got it.”
Gerrard is contracted at Villa Park until June 2025 after succeeding sacked boss Dean Smith in November 2021.
The former Rangers boss won 10 of his 27 Premier League games during his first taste of management in England.
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