Steven Gerrard urges Aston Villa to improve their attitude after winning just one of their last seven matches… as he suggests his side could still get dragged into the relegation battle despite being up in 12th
- Aston Villa have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions
- Steven Gerrard’s side host Watford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon
- Gerrard said his team need to be careful not to get pulled into the relegation mix
- The Villa boss also backed misfiring striker Ollie Watkins to rediscover his form
Steven Gerrard has warned Aston Villa they risk being dragged into the relegation fight if they fail to improve their attitude.
Gerrard was furious with his players after their 1-0 defeat at Newcastle last week and confirmed he will make changes to his starting XI for Saturday’s meeting with Watford, as Villa look for only their second win in eight in all competitions.
After opening with four wins in six under Gerrard, Villa have struggled for consistency and Gerrard knows they must look over their shoulder – they are 10 points above 18th-placed Norwich – as well as above them.
Steven Gerrard has warned his Aston Villa side not to take their eye off the ball in matches
‘It is very easy in this area of the league to think you are OK,’ said Gerrard. ‘It is very easy to take your eye off the ball and become complacent, like we did last week.
‘We have to be extremely careful. We are 12th, not a position where we can disrespect any opponent and think we can just turn up.
‘We have to treat every game with focus and importance and be the best version of ourselves. That is the only way we are going to progress in the short term.’
Gerrard started life in the Villa dugout brilliantly but now his side are struggling to find form
Villa’s defeat at Newcastle last week means they have won just one of their last seven games
Gerrard also revealed he had talks with forward Ollie Watkins, who had a goal disallowed by a marginal VAR call at Newcastle, which extended his barren run to six matches.
The former England captain is concerned his forward – and other players – are becoming too distracted by negative remarks on social media.
‘I’m not saying stop using social media but if you’re on social media looking for negative comments and you don’t feel good about them, then you’ve probably got yourself to blame,’ he said.
Ollie Watkins has not scored in six games after VAR ruled out his header against Newcastle
‘You are not going to keep every person happy every single game. It’s normal for people to criticise, point fingers, to be fickle.
‘I had a chat with Ollie this week, as I do with all players, and it was positive. It wasn’t so long ago people were saying should he be back in the England squad as he was scoring goals and looking a threat.
‘But at times you have to reset yourself. You have to keep working hard and put the shutters down on the outside noise, and focus on what the staff and I are asking him to do. I am very confident Ollie will bounce back pretty quickly.’