£31.5m Aston Villa star 'doesn't want to play' role in Gerrard system

Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz does not want to play in the holding midfield position under Steven Gerrard, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 23-year-old has mostly been utilised there following his manager’s arrival, but it appears that he wants to be deployed further forward.

Prior to his injury, Marvelous Nakamba was the one being tasked with shielding Villa’s back four by Gerrard.

However, with the Zimbabwe international now sidelined, the Villans boss has had to turn to £31.5m-rated Luiz, with there being no other real alternative in the squad.

It is a position Luiz is quite clearly comfortable in after playing there over 80 times in his career. But he has also made almost the same amount appearances further forward, so it would come as no shock if the Brazilian saw his future there.

For now, though, it looks like he is going to have to remain in defensive midfield until Nakamba returns from his spell on the sidelines.

Arsenal seal DRAMATIC win over Wolves! Full reaction on The Football Terrace…

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Luiz does not want to play as a holding midfield and Gerrard understands that but has been forced into a bit of a corner.

Speaking to GMS, the insider said: “Douglas Luiz doesn’t really want to play there. He doesn’t want to be playing in the deepest role. I think Gerrard understands that and he’s just been using him there while he had to.”

That looks like a strong possibility. There is a good chance that Gerrard brings in a more defensive-minded midfielder this summer, with the former Rangers manager confirming that Villa already had a bid rejected for Brighton’s Yves Bissouma in January.

“It was well documented that we put in a bid for Bissouma at Brighton,” Gerrard was quoted as