Lallana: Gerrard has winning aura

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New Villa boss faces Albion in his first game in charge.

Charlie Hanson

2021-11-19T05:00:00Z

Steven Gerrard on the training ground

Adam Lallana is expecting Aston Villa to have their tails up after the appointment of Steven Gerrard as head coach.

The Albion midfielder knows the 41-year-old well from their time playing together for Liverpool and England, and always expected Gerrard to head down the managerial route.

“Before Stevie moved to LA Galaxy he mentioned he wanted to go into management,” Lallana said. “But I was pretty surprised he retired from playing when he did because he was easily good enough to carry on.

Adam Lallana played alongside Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, during the former Reds captain's final season at Anfield.

“He obviously wanted to get into management though and took the Liverpool under-18s job which was a great first job. He could make mistakes there, he probably learnt a lot and he hasn’t looked back since then.

“He was offered a great opportunity at Rangers and it’s there for everyone to see the job he’s done in the three-and-a-half years.

“He took on a very tough job at Ibrox. He had to clear it out, start from scratch and there were probably a lot of things he wanted to change. He won the 55th title and they had good European runs.

“I watched them on Thursday nights and they were a very Stevie team when you watched them. They were a very solid 4-3-3, attacked with real purpose and pace and I have no doubt he will have a very similar impact at Aston Villa.”

Lallana reckons Gerrard’s presence alone will have an instant impact at Villa Park.

“Stevie’s just got this aura around him. He just needs to walk through the door and into the room and the atmosphere changes in a positive way. That’s what he brings, that’s years and years of performing at the top level.

“When you get speaking to him, you almost forget he’s Steven Gerrard. He’s a wonderful man and he will do anything to help you. He possesses great qualities to be a manager and he’s got a combination of everything.

“I’m pretty sure the Villa lads will be very excited to be working with him.

I’ve not spoken to him since he was appointed, he’s probably been inundated with messages and he will just want to get cracking with work straight away. It’s been the international break so he’s probably had just over a week to work with the team.

“I’m sure I’ll speak to him after the game. Hopefully we’ll be leaving with maximum points so I’m not sure he’ll be around to speak to me then! He’s a great man and I obviously wish him all the best in his job at Villa.”