Gerrard now facing ‘really significant’ moment in Villa Park tenure

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard’s Villa Park future could come under serious threat if his side fail to win their upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Gerrard’s charges are set to travel across the Midlands to face Forest, who are currently bottom of the Premier League, at the City Ground on Monday.

What’s the latest news involving Gerrard?

Although Gerrard is approaching a year since his appointment as Villa’s head coach last November, there are doubts over whether he has a long-term future in charge.

That is because, according to Football Insider, the hierarchy are sounding out Mauricio Pochettino and Unai Emery ahead of potentially making a change in the dugout.

The report suggests co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, who bought a controlling stake in Villa more than four years ago, could sack Gerrard if results and performances do not significantly improve before the World Cup gets underway next month.

It is understood that Pochettino is keen on sealing his return to the Premier League and would be open to moving into the Villa hot seat.

Since replacing Dean Smith at the helm, Gerrard has led the Midlands giants to more defeats than victories despite previously winning silverware with Rangers.

What has Dean Jones said about Gerrard?

Jones believes Villa’s trip to Nottingham Forest is a key moment of Gerrard’s tenure and a negative result could result in him being in danger of the sack.

The journalist understands that the 42-year-old is facing difficulties ahead of the Premier League encounter.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “The next game at Forest does feel like a really significant one in their season and probably for Gerrard too.

“He has got to come up with the right game-plan for that one and find a way to get around all these problems they’ve got.”

What problems does Gerrard have to deal with?

Injuries have been causing havoc at Villa Park, with Diego Carlos rupturing his Achilles’ tendon just a matter of weeks after his £26million move from Sevilla.

Boubacar Kamara also sustained knee ligament damage during the win over Southampton last month, leaving him on the sidelines.

Lucas Digne is nursing a suspected stress fracture of the ankle, while fellow left-back Ludwig Augustinsson was forced off against Leeds United last weekend and his hamstring problem has left Gerrard ‘fearing the worst’.

Meanwhile, there is hope that Matty Cash will be in contention to feature against former club Nottingham Forest after recovering from a grade three hamstring tear.

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