Ex-Aston Villa coach linked with new move and loan man defended by boss

Aston Villa were beaten 2-0 at home to Chelsea over the weekend as pressure continues to mount on boss Steven Gerrard. Mason Mount scored both goals to help the Blues leave Villa Park with all three points.

Next up for the Midlands outfit is an away trip to Fulham on Thursday. Here is a look at the latest news and rumours coming out of the club...

Ex-coach eyed by fellow Premier League club

Former Aston Villa coach Michael Beale has reportedly emerged on the radar of fellow Premier League side Wolves. The 42-year-old has emerged as a candidate for the Molineux club and is on their ‘shortlist’ as they look for a replacement for Bruno Lage, as per the Express & Star.

Beale worked under Gerrard last season before heading out the exit door when QPR came calling over the summer. He has since done an impressive job with the Championship side.

Boss on Chelsea loss

Gerrard was pleased with the team’s performance against Chelsea, despite the result in the end. His side were unbeaten in four games going into their clash against the London club and he told the official club website after the match: “I can’t ask the players for any more, I’ve just said to them ‘for the first hour, I’m really proud of you’.

“If they can replicate that performance on Thursday night and next weekend, we’ll take maximum points. We’ve just taken a real high-quality team to the trenches there, we just couldn’t reward ourselves for all the good play.”

Loan man defended

QPR’s Beale has defended Aston Villa loan man Tim Iroegbunam after he struggled against Luton Town over the weekend. The Hatters won 3-1 in the end and the youngster made an error that resulted in the opponents scoring.

His manager has said, as per a report by West London Sport: “He did so many good things in the game but he makes the error that leads to the goal. But that’s down to me and asking a 19-year-old to play and it’s me that’s putting him in the positions to be brave on the ball, and he has done that but been caught out. There is no blame attached to just one player. We weren’t great all round.”