Ty Bracey exclusive: Fulham defeat was last straw for Aston Villa, Steven Gerrard had to go
We’re delighted to welcome Villa View host Ty Bracey as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Steven Gerrard had to be removed as Aston Villa boss following the 3-0 defeat at Fulham because it was simply “unacceptable” says Ty Bracey.
Any positivity from the improved performance against Chelsea (16 October), which itself still ended in a 2-0 defeat, was categorically squandered with the miserable showing against their west London neighbours on Thursday (20 October).
The now-former Villans boss was relieved of his duties after the loss at Craven Cottage before travelling back on the team bus, having presided over a record of just two victories in 11 games so far this season, and Bracey is in no doubt that his time was up.
He exclusively told Villa News: “I think the change came at the right time. How we played against Fulham wasn’t acceptable.
“That was the final straw where we needed to call it a day, so it was the right decision to make to get him gone.
“There was just no identity within the team. Nobody was playing for each other.
“The tactics weren’t great and we just weren’t creating or scoring chances so something had to change.
“It was definitely time for him to go.”
Gerrard and his team arrived with their reputations high after winning the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, but despite significant investment in the transfer market things have not improved sufficiently on the pitch.
The poor stretch to end last season and then the bad start to the new campaign made his position untenable, and with a relegation battle becoming more and more of a realistic concern a move had to be made.
Confused tactics and a playing squad clearly devoid of confidence meant the chances of an improvement being made by the incumbent regime look minimal, and now whoever comes in to replace him has a major rescue job on their hands.
In other Aston Villa news, Gabby Agbonlahor has singled out Gary McAllister for scathing criticism on his way out.