‘Train wreck’ - Aston Villa reaction to Steven Gerrard sacking after ‘we want Gerrard out’ chants

Aston Villa fans have been taking to social media after Steven Gerrard was relieved of his duties as first-team manager. Having suffered a dismal 3-0 defeat away at Fulham on Thursday evening, Gerrard’s position didn’t even last the rest of the night.

He and five members of his backroom staff had their contracts terminated by Villa, and now the club is looking for a long-term replacement. In the meantime, Aaron Danks is the interim head coach. Supporters have reacted to the situation, with many glad to see the back of Gerrard - but some disappointed that things didn’t work out.

Taking to Twitter, @MChristiana16 said: “Gerrard’s sacking is long overdue in my opinion. He has always passed the buck, is very stubborn, didn’t take responsibility for the performances when they went wrong and quite frankly he has been no better than Dean Smith. Poor Phil Coutinho will be lost now.”

@danbardell said: “Gerrard has been a disaster for #AVFC, feels in a real mess and it isn’t going to be easy to pick up pieces. Ultimately this decision should have been made weeks ago. It was clear we were going nowhere and winnable games have now passed us by.”

@priceyfisher said: “I honestly think Gerrard goes to another club and does well, some of the Villa players are not good enough and have to take blame too. Smith and Gerrard… same players.”

@AllThings_Villa said: “I think the last time I was this happy was when we stayed up on the last day. The Gerrard rot set in within the club. The next appointment has to be right for the future of the club.”

@2ndCitySaint90 said: “I really want Gerrard to work out when he signed so it’s a little sad. Sympathise with injuries to our new signings which were not his fault but this season has been a trainwreck! No identity, bad football, bad team selections.”

@TheVillaDestiny said: “Right decision from the club. Did want it to work out with Gerrard but it just didn’t seem right. Apart from the first half performance vs Chelsea, it looked like he had lost the dressing room and the players were not playing for him.”

The weekend’s game against Brentford comes just three days after the Villans’ disappointing result in London. It will be a real test for Danks, who won’t have had long to prepare or lift confidence in the dressing room.

Brentford head into the fixture having stopped Chelsea’s winning run at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the 0-0 draw being the first time the Blues have dropped league points under Graham Potter. It will be interesting to see how Villa fans react after the team’s first game without Gerrard.