Aston Villa stars are ‘struggling’ to get to grips with boss Steven Gerrard’s three key tactical demands which culminated in Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle, according to Birmingham Live.
Gerrard suffered his sixth defeat in 13 games as Villans boss at St James’ Park after Kieran Trippier’s free-kick. The Villa Park natives have now won just one of their last seven fixtures across all competitions, following four wins in their first six under Dean Smith’s successor.
Newcastle also exploited Aston Villa’s susceptibility to being vulnerable on the counter to apply regular pressure on the Birmingham natives. Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser particularly enjoyed lots of success on the wings as Lucas Digne and Matty Cash attacked.
Aston Villa’s full-backs advancing has been paramount to Gerrard’s style since taking over from Smith in November. However, some in the Villans squad are still struggling to match his demands for high energy with possession-based football and playing on the front foot.
Gerrard’s attempt to replicate the system he enjoyed success with Rangers has yet to find a home at Aston Villa. Instead, it has invited pressure and may force the 41-year-old to at least consider some slight tweaks when Watford make the trip to Villa Park on Saturday.
Watford will look to repeat Newcastle to extend Aston Villa’s tough run
Gerrard won 124 of his 192 games with Rangers across all competitions, while scoring 407 goals to 139 conceded. His favoured system also led to the Gers lifting the Premiership title last term and ending Celtic’s dominance. But it has not been an ideal match in England yet.
The manner of Digne’s display in Aston Villa’s loss to Newcastle will almost certainly have alarmed Gerrard, too. Fraser often found space in behind the Frenchman and provided an endless stream of crosses. Watford’s Ismaila Sarr will now surely look to cause a repeat.
Saint-Maximin was also among Newcastle’s most dangerous and regular threats up against Cash. So, Gerrard will hope he sees improvements soon after three-months at the helm.
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