‘He needs to deliver’ - Dwight Yorke issues warning to Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard

Villa have had a tough start to the new Premier League season under Steven Gerrard with two losses in three games
Joe Forte
By Joe Forte
Published 25th Aug 2022, 12:01 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2022, 13:35 BST

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Former Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke claims that it’s time for Steven Gerrard to deliver for the Midlands giants.

In an interview with Lord Ping, the former Villa and Manchester United forward and current manager of Australian A League team Macarthur, said the club should be aiming for a top six finish this season.

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Villa have had a difficult start to the season under Gerrard, losing both of their opening two away games against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, with a home victory over Everton in between.

BIRMINGHAM - MARCH 20: Dwight Yorke of Aston Villa scores his second goal of the match and the winning goal during the FA Premier Leage match between Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday held on March 20, 1993 at Villa Park, in Birmingham, England. Aston Villa won the match 2-0. (Photo by Chris Cole/Getty Images)BIRMINGHAM - MARCH 20: Dwight Yorke of Aston Villa scores his second goal of the match and the winning goal during the FA Premier Leage match between Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday held on March 20, 1993 at Villa Park, in Birmingham, England. Aston Villa won the match 2-0. (Photo by Chris Cole/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM - MARCH 20: Dwight Yorke of Aston Villa scores his second goal of the match and the winning goal during the FA Premier Leage match between Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday held on March 20, 1993 at Villa Park, in Birmingham, England. Aston Villa won the match 2-0. (Photo by Chris Cole/Getty Images)

York said: “Gerrard has gone in there and he now needs to start delivering. He got off to a good start, but then it started to tail off for him and they finished the season with a whimper.

“This is the year that they should be looking to push on.”

He also revealed he spoke with majority shareholder Wes Edens in the summer and praised the ambition of the club, saying: “The club is certainly investing a lot of money and they have massive ambition at Villa. I met with Wes Edens and he explained the vision of the club over the next few seasons - their ambition is to try and break into the top four.

“I think they’ve demonstrated their commitment by bringing in Gerrard to the club, who did very well in Scotland and is a huge name in England. The backing that he’s been given in terms of the players and transfer spend shows you that they are a serious football club.”

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Yorke also claimed that the Villains should be looking to achieve a top six finish this season. He concluded: “Longterm, they will be thinking about breaking into that top four, but I think they should be looking to finish in the top six at a bare minimum this season.”

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Related topics:Steven GerrardPremier League

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