Steven Gerrard hopes for behind-closed-doors Aston Villa friendly
Steven Gerrard is hoping for an Aston Villa behind-closed-doors friendly whilst the international break is taking place in order to avoid his players losing fitness.
Senior players who did not get the call-up for their countries have been given this week off, to mentally reset following a rocky start to the campaign.
Gerrard admitted the team will “put all we can” into the next Premier League fixture against Leeds, however, the team can face the Yorkshire side with more “confidence” now.
Speaking to the Express and Star, Gerrard claimed that the players needed a break and a bit of rest for them will do everyone at the club the world of good.
“We will put all we can into focusing about the next game. It will be tough but we should go there (to Leeds) with more confidence now.
“We haven’t got many about but the players have been under pressure, like myself. I want to let them breathe for a few days. We will come in and work hard in the middle of the international break.”
Good call.
After a less than convincing start to the season having a week’s break to mentally refresh isn’t the worst of ideas from Villa boss Gerrard.
It allows the team to come back as fresh as possible for what will be an extremely hectic Premier League schedule before the World Cup.
The report does claim that Tyrone Mings, Philippe Coutinho and Ollie Watkins will all stay put at Bodymoor Heath; Villa will need their star men firing when the action returns.
Mings and Coutinho were terrific during the Southampton win, whilst Watkins is leaving much to be desired at the moment.
Let’s hope Villa can now build on the Southampton win, the team looked far harder to beat all around the pitch and it’s the kind of performance fans craved from Gerrard’s side.
Also, Aston Villa may finally be able to unleash new summer signing Leander Dendoncker after the international break; it’s going to be interesting to see how Gerrard utilises the firey midfielder in his setup.
In other Aston Villa news, Douglas Luiz could triple wages by leaving the club.