Gerrard is close to signing for Aston Villa. Thanks to his success at Rangers, writes England

Aston Villa pumped a lot of money into the squad in the summer, but the results have not come and they are only 16th in the table. It has sacked coach Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard is expected to take his place.

Steven Gerrard has been loved by all Reds fans during his amazing career at Liverpool and at least respected and appreciated by supporters of other teams. But in the Czech Republic, after the events of this year, no one can come up with a name for him.

Gerrard, however, may very well return to England from the hated Rangers. GOAL reports that after Aston Villa sacked Dean Smith, Gerrard is set to be the number 1 candidate for the Villains head coach job.

The English media further reports that Gerrard has been scouted by Premier League clubs due to his great success at Rangers. Last season, he broke Celtic’s nine-year reign and won the league title. In the Europa League, he reached the eighth round, where he lost to Slavia Prague.

Gerrard is under contract at Rangers until 2024, and the Scottish club would be very reluctant to let him go in the middle of the season. However, he is well aware that an offer from the Premier League would be hard for the Liverpool icon to refuse. Aston Villa would have to pay a £2.5 million severance fee for him.

The former Liverpool midfielder is most often mentioned as Jürgen Klopp’s successor on the Reds bench when he decides to end his pilgrimage at Anfield Road. The German coach is under contract until 2024 and is unlikely to continue. This makes it an ideal opportunity for Gerrard to move to the Premier League and breathe the atmosphere of the competition as a head coach as well.

But a relaxed engagement and preparation for Liverpool would definitely not await him in London. With Aston Villa, he would have to get to work immediately and get the team up to speed. The Villains are in the worst form in the league, having lost their last five games in a row and with 10 points they have dropped to 16th in the table with only a two-point lead over first relegation place Burnley.

According to GOAL, the decision could be baked in this week, the whole move is also aided by the national break.

Source: GOAL