Steven Gerrard slams ‘extremely naive’ Aston Villa after Crystal Palace draw
Steven Gerrard has branded his Aston Villa players “extremely naive” following their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday [May 15].
Two Premier League greats went head to head – this time as managers – as Patrick Viera’s side held the Villans to a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
The Lions boss insisted his side did enough to win the game as his side targets a top ten finish in the Premier League.
He said as per Birmingham Live: “They’ve got dangerous players, they’re a good team and we haven’t defended one set-play well enough on a second phase. That cost us two points.
“We were naive to give the foul away in the first place because we’re 1-0 up at home and still creating chances in and around that to take the game to Palace.
“We were extremely naive to concede in the way we did. Outside of that, I thought we did just enough to edge the game. I expected a close game because of where we’re sitting in the table and that’s what everyone has seen.”
Patience.
Gerrard came in and gave Aston Villa a huge lift in November but has faltered at times since which is to be expected from a new manager enjoying somewhat of a honeymoon period at a new club.
The performance levels of late have improved massively but there is still a lot of work to do ahead of next season.
A major rebuild is set to take place over the summer with the former Liverpool boss hopefully being able to bring in his own players having inherited Dean Smith’s squad bar the additions of Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho.
The budget as well as the calibre of players the boss will be able to attract will be impacted by where the Lions finish in the league.
A top ten is certainly the priority and despite not getting a win against Palace – it is still a possibility.
The Villans will have to go out and win their two remaining games and hope the teams above them slip up – however unlikely that may be.
In other Aston Villa news, Gerrard has been floored by Aston Villa’s “standard-setter” in the squad.