Tim Sherwood has stated that Aston Villa have been ‘quite fortunate’ under Steven Gerrard since his appointment, as he told Premier League Productions’ PL today programme (09/12/21 at 10:55 am).
The former Villa boss claimed that the in-form Midlands side have been ‘quite open’ and ‘attacking’ under their new boss.
Four games into Gerrard’s reign as Villa boss, he has won three and lost one, which is pretty good going for a team that was on a five-game losing streak when he first arrived.
The style of play is pretty evident, with Villa playing a narrow formation, adamant in playing out from the back, urging their fullbacks to fly forward and being a lot more aggressive without the ball.
Added with that, players like Marvelous Nakamba have turned into prime N’Golo Kane, as he has been the club’s best player during that period.
But Sherwood, who would have walked the very same touchline Gerrard is now occupying, shared that Dean Smith was still unlucky to lose his role.
“I didn’t think it was broke under Dean Smith,” said Sherwood. “I thought he was unlucky to lose his job.
“There wasn’t too much wrong. If you ever need a bounce, then you need someone with a character in there and shake them up a little bit.
“He’s gone in with a method they have taken on board. He is improving a lot of the players. The art of the manager is to get the best out of the group and he’s certainly doing that.
“You go away at Anfield, Steven will know that this is an acid test. I think they have been quite fortunate to get maximum points in a few of their games. They have been quite open and attacking.”
For the short-term, the call to sack Smith has proven to be correct because they have got out of the morale-sapping mess they were in.
Villa didn’t just lose form under Smith, but a sense of identity and clarity going forward.
But it’s going to be a different kettle of fish at Anfield on Saturday when Gerrard returns to his old club for the first time.
Since Villa’s promotion, they have played Liverpool on five occasions in all competitions, taking the lead four times and they have picked up two wins along the way.
So, it’s going to be a quite tasty, emotional and entertaining affair on Merseyside at the weekend.
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