Steven Gerrard fighting for his job at Aston Villa – expert
Under pressure Steven Gerrard must lead Aston Villa to a top-half finish next season after a difficult 2021-22 campaign.
That’s according to former Villains hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the club’s prospects next season.
Speaking after his side’s 1-1 draw with Burnley on Thursday (19 May) Gerrard told Sky Sports the club must improve next season.
He claimed “this club can’t finish 14th” after struggling to break down a stern Burnley defence.
Villa spent big in the summer of 2021, recruiting Emi Buendia, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey.
McAvennie insists Gerrard is under pressure to deliver better results next season.
“There needs to be a massive improvement, they nearly got beat by Burnley,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“They would have been beaten if it wasn’t for Tyrone Mings coming out of nowhere with a late block.
“It’s not good enough when you look at the money that has been spent there.
“I know it has been a disruptive season, changing managers and getting so many new players in.
“But they have to be finishing in the top half, for me. It’s not good enough.
“Let’s see who Gerrard signs this summer and what happens over pre-season. But he will know as well as anyone that he’s seriously under pressure to improve these results.”
Aston Villa face title-chasing Manchester City on the final day of the season.
If they pull off an unlikely win, they could finish as high as 11th.
In other news, one pundit claims Aston Villa may open big-money talks with Ollie Watkins after a £50m update.