Aston Villa ‘have to get deal for Gerrard replacement done’ at Villa Park

Aston Villa should prioritise attempting to get a deal done which will see Mauricio Pochettino replace Steven Gerrard in the Villa Park hot seat, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Although Gerrard has been at the helm for less than a year, having been appointed as the Midlands giants’ head coach last November, there are serious doubts over his future.

What’s the latest news involving Pochettino?

According to The Telegraph, the Villa hierarchy have put Pochettino at the top of their shortlist of managerial targets as the pressure mounts on Gerrard.

The report suggests Gerrard could be sacked if positive results are not secured against Fulham and Brentford in the coming days and Pochettino – who won the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions during his time in charge of Paris Saint-Germain – could be the subject of an ambitious pursuit.

It is understood that Pochettino is plotting a return to the Premier League, having previously managed Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, and he is not only interested in taking over at a club competing in the Champions League.

Pochettino was reportedly under consideration to take over at Chelsea ahead of Graham Potter being appointed, while he also snubbed an approach from Ligue 1 side Nice last month.

The 50-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by French giants PSG during the summer.

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What has Dean Jones said about Pochettino?

Jones believes that Villa have more chance of persuading Pochettino to take over if they make a move in the coming days rather than later in the campaign.

The journalist feels co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens need to hold discussions with the South American if they are having doubts over whether Gerrard is the right man for the job.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “There’s no major competition at the moment to get Pochettino, but that’s probably not going to be the case for the entirety of the season.

“I think that if Pochettino is there and Aston Villa are seriously considering Gerrard’s future, they’ve just got to try and get it done.”

Does Gerrard deserve more time at Villa?

Gerrard may have enjoyed glory during his time in charge of Scottish giants Rangers, but his spell at Villa has not gone to plan.

The 42-year-old has led the Premier League side to more defeats than victories and that does not bode well, particularly considering he was allowed to spend upwards of £60million during the summer transfer window.

Following his unveiling at Villa Park, Gerrard revealed his long-term objective is to lead the club back into European football.

But Villa are nowhere near that stage at the moment and, instead, are flirting with the relegation zone, so it may be the right time to make a managerial change.

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