[ad_1]
Steven Gerrard quit Rangers on Thursday to become Aston Villa’s new boss following the sacking of Dean Smith at the weekend. Gerrard returns to the Premier League for the first time since leaving his role in the Liverpool academy to join the Gers in 2018.
Gerrard will need to find a way to stem the Villains’ poor run of form when they return to action later this month.
The west Midlands team have lost their last five top-flight games and are now just two points above the relegation places.
And Express Sport takes a look at five intriguing fixtures the new Villa head coach will face over the coming months.
Aston Villa vs Leicester – Sunday, December 5
Gerrard’s fourth game in charge at Villa Park sees his new side host Leicester City as the former midfielder goes head-to-head with his ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
Rodgers nearly led the Reds to the Premier League title in 2014, but they ultimately missed out after taking only four points from their final three games.
Gerrard was an instrumental player for Rodgers that season, although his slip against Chelsea in the penultimate month of the campaign, which cost his side a goal, contributed to Liverpool’s failure.
JUST IN: Man Utd target Rodgers has made decision that may worry Leicester
Liverpool vs Aston Villa – Saturday, December 11
Gerrard’s long-awaited return to Anfield comes less than a week after the new boss reunites with Rodgers.
The 41-year-old spent two decades at Anfield and made 710 appearances for the Merseyside club, where he racked-up a staggering 186 goals and 150 assists.
Liverpool chiefs won’t have any time for nostalgia, however, as Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to lead the Reds to victory as they launch an assault on the league title.
Gerrard never played under Klopp, although his role in the Reds academy came under the German manager.
Norwich City vs Aston Villa – Tuesday, December 14
If Villa don’t start well under Gerrard, they could soon be sucked into a relegation battle. And that would make their clash with Norwich a huge six-pointer.
DON’T MISS
Man Utd have plan for next boss if Glazers forced to sack Solskjaer
Man Utd chief John Murtough’s verdict on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacking
Man Utd’s quarter-season report: Best and worst players graded
Norwich sacked Daniel Farke at the weekend and Frank Lampard has been tipped to take over at Carrow Road.
If Lampard does get the top job, Gerrard will come face-to-face with his former England midfield partner.
Aston Villa vs Manchester United – Saturday, January 15
Aston Villa host Manchester United in the New Year, with the west Midlands side looking to complete a rare double over the 13-times Premier League champions after winning at Old Trafford in September.
Gerrard had an intense rivalry with Man Utd during his playing days with Liverpool so this encounter could certainly be a tasty affair.
The Villains lost 3-1 to United at home last season and Gerrard won’t want to be on the end of another defeat this time around.
Everton vs Aston Villa – Saturday, January 22
Gerrard played in a whole host of Merseyside derbies for Liverpool and he is sure to be given a feisty welcoming when he returns to Goodison Park next year.
The former England star will come up against another former manager in this encounter, with Rafa Benitez now at the helm on the blue half of the north west city.
Gerrard won his only Champions League trophy under the Spaniard and the duo are sure to engage in a warm embrace when they meet as managers.
[ad_2]
