Chris Sutton has noted in his column for the Daily Mail that he expects Aston Villa will tell Steven Gerrard to challenge for Europe after hiring the England icon as their new manager.
The Birmingham outfit sacked Dean Smith last Sunday after a fifth-straight Premier League loss. He left Villa Park after three-years in charge, with the club just 16th in the standings.
Gerrard has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal as the new Aston Villa boss after leading Rangers to the 2020/21 Premiership title. And leaves Ibrox with the Gers atop the table after just one defeat in 13 games, while scoring 29 goals.
Smith led Aston Villa to their best Premier League finish since 10/11 during his third term in charge in 20/21. Taking the Villans to 11th, a year after avoiding relegation on the final day.
Owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris backed Smith to build on last season’s efforts in the summer transfer window, too.
They spent £93m of the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish, signing Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia and Danny Ings.
Sutton believes finishing 11th convinced Aston Villa that European qualification is possible, and will now expect Gerrard to deliver it.
“I thought Dean Smith’s sacking was harsh, but expectations at Villa seem high,” Sutton wrote.
“They finished 11th last season and don’t see fighting for European football as an unrealistic ambition.
“Gerrard is walking into a historically huge club, and there will be pressure on him to deliver.”
Can Gerrard take Aston Villa into Europe as their new manager?
Aston Villa will certainly feel challenging for European qualification is the next step, and will want Gerrard to deliver it.
But Gerrard’s first task will be to pull the Villans clear of the relegation zone and target a top-half finish. A feat they last achieved under Gerard Houllier with ninth-place in 10/11.
A top-half result is not impossible for Gerrard if he can turn Aston Villa’s form around soon. The Villans may sit 16th, but are only five-points behind 10th-place Crystal Palace.
Additionally, the Eagles are only two-points behind sixth-place Manchester United, who hold a seven-point lead over the Villa Park natives. So, Europe may not be out of reach.
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