Astin Villa manager Steven Gerrard has admitted that he is worried about his job after the side’s recent Premier League defeat to Arsenal, a fourth league loss this season.
On the half-hour mark, Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring for the hosts, before Douglas Luiz gave the visitors hope 26 minutes from time. However, Gabriel Martinelli’s goal soon after gave the Gunners the victory they deserved.
“Of course I do,”
Gerrard told BT Sport when asked if he was concerned about his future.
“I am really honest and critical of myself. If I stood here and said I wasn’t concerned I think you’d look at me as though I was from a different planet.
“I will step forward and take responsibility as best I can. We showed character and commitment, and we were hanging on at times but if we keep getting important moments in key areas we will continue to concede goals.
We speak about this most days and it’s really frustrating that the messages don’t seem to be getting through.”
Villa’s only Premier League victory this season came against Everton at home earlier in August, though they did win the Carabao Cup at Bolton. Dean Smith was fired last season after a fifth consecutive defeat during a similarly difficult start to the season, which saw the club finish 17th in the top-flight, two points above the relegation zone.
Villa have won 11 and lost 16 Premier League games since Gerrard took over in November. They have also amassed more points than Crystal Palace, Wolves, West Ham, Leeds, Southampton, and Everton, all of whom have played 32 top-flight games since Gerrard’s appointment.
Villa’s defeat at the Emirates was their fourth in just five Premier League games this season. The former Liverpool captain was heavily backed in the summer, and if results do not improve, questions about his future will be raised. Gerrard’s situation will not improve on Saturday when Villa host Manchester City in a late kick-off.
