Aston Villa appointed Steven Gerrard as their new manager and Robbie Fowler believes his former Liverpool and England teammate will succeed as he’ll have lucrative resources to strengthen in the transfer market while also inheriting a talented squad.
Gerrard replaced Dean Smith who was sacked after Villa suffered a fifth consecutive Premier League defeat and their 18th in the top-flight since the turn of the year. Villa are currently 16th after 11 games and are closer to the relegation zone than top-half, but Fowler is convinced Gerrard can handle it.
He wrote in the Mirror: “He sets off on the latest, huge, challenge in his career. And it is a truly massive challenge, even though he has been given a good squad and decent financial backing at Aston Villa. I’ve used the word immense about him in the past, and he certainly has immense character.
“(He had the) perfect storm of talent, desire, ambition and belief (who) knew he had to be courageous (and) audacious. (Gerrard wasn’t) timid or afraid (and had) real personality. I think that approach is what Stevie will bring to the Aston Villa job.”
After the international break, Villa host Brighton & Hove Albion and will fancy their chances of ending the losing run. The Seagulls are winless in their last six league games and have failed to win their last three away from home, but they are unbeaten on the road this season.
Gerrard has a good squad of players at his disposal, but he needs to hit the ground running as Villa risk being pulled into the bottom three if they can’t arrest the slide. Fowler is backing him to succeed and supporters appear to be excited, so time will tell if the optimism pays off.
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor predicts where Aston Villa could finish under Steven Gerrard
