Dion Dublin has told The Weekend Wrap that Steven Gerrard will be given time to turn the corner at Aston Villa – but that he is being given more time than other managers because of the owners, and believes things have got to change.
The pressure is on the Liverpool legend to turn the corner after a poor start to the season. Villa finished the 2021-22 campaign poorly, winning just two out of their last 11 games. This season, they have won two of eight league games.
Joining the club in November 2021, Gerrard has won just 13 of his 37 games in charge. He has a contract at Villa until the summer of 2025, but of all the Premier League bosses – he is one of those under mounting pressure at this stage.
Aston Villa icon Dublin was asked about Gerrard’s future as Villa manager. It comes after Villa failed to beat 10-man Leeds on Sunday, despite their numerical advantage. He expects Gerrard to get the time, but it cannot carry on.
“Stevie will get the time he needs to get this right. He will get more time than most because these owners are quite patient. Stevie is okay at the moment but it cannot continue in this vain,” Dublin said, when asked about Gerrard.
Dublin: Gerrard will be given time to turn corner at Villa
But does he deserve it? For CEO Christian Purslow, he has got to take the relationship he has with Gerrard out of the situation. The relationship he has from the duo’s time together at Liverpool – and that Gerrard is a legend, as a player.
He must consider whether Gerrard has what it takes to continue to take Villa forward. He has been given backing. Unfortunately, two big signings in Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara have suffered long-term injuries.
So, he has been unlucky, but Villa do lack a bit of confidence. Chances are not being converted, attacking stars faltering. It is on Gerrard to turn this around having got Villa into it – and while he will get time, he does not have long.
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