Steven Gerrard talks relationship with David Moyes, what West Ham achievement Aston Villa want to replicate

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard and West Ham United manager David Moyes are no strangers to one another.

The two have gone toe-to-toe countless times throughout their careers - predominantly whilst Gerrard was playing at Liverpool and Moyes was Head Coach at Everton.

Due to the relentless nature of that fixture, many would come to the conclusion that the two are far from friendly but that couldn’t ring any less true.

The Villa manager had nothing but praise for Moyes and the job he has done not only at West Ham but wherever he has been throughout his career.

And it wasn’t one of those fake media charades either, Gerrard referred to the Irons boss as ‘a real top guy’ and explained that the two have met numerous times away from the Merseyside rivalry they once had.

Speaking ahead of the game with the Hammers on Sunday afternoon, the Villa boss said:

“It will be tough because he’s created a real tough side to play against.

“He’s created a real effective team and I know how his team’s set up - all the challenges we had against Everton back in the day, they were always well drilled, they were always really honest with how they went about their work.

“I managed to meet David a couple of times around the game too, he’s a real top guy, a real humble guy.

“I’ve got nothing but praise for the job that he’s done at West Ham and it’s going to be a right tough challenge for us and that’s the reason why it’s very important that we reset and stay calm because every game in this league, if there’s one thing I can give you guys as my feedback since I’ve been in the door is every game is tough.”

Whilst Villa were thumping Leeds United 3-0 at Elland Road on Thursday evening, West Ham were on the wrong end of a scoreline in Europe - a 1-0 loss to Sevilla.

Result aside, competing with the likes of Sevilla only reflects exactly the kind of job Moyes has done at the London Stadium and Gerrard pointed to the fixture as one he wants his side to be playing in in the coming years.

“Tonight (Thursday) they are competing in Europe which is a long-term goal for ourselves and we need to admire what they are doing and respect what they are doing but it’s a fantastic opportunity to go and show where we are at and really take the challenge on and go toe-to-toe with a good team.”

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