Aston Villa: Gerrard now facing 'really significant' moment in Villa Park tenure

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard’s Villa Park future could come under serious threat if his side fail to win their upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Gerrard’s charges are set to travel across the Midlands to face Forest, who are currently bottom of the Premier League, at the City Ground on Monday.

Although Gerrard is approaching a year since his appointment as Villa’s head coach last November, there are doubts over whether he has a long-term future in charge.

That is because, according to Football Insider, the hierarchy are sounding out Mauricio Pochettino and Unai Emery ahead of potentially making a change in the dugout.

The report suggests co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, who bought a controlling stake in Villa more than four years ago, could sack Gerrard if results and performances do not significantly improve before the World Cup gets underway next month.

It is understood that Pochettino is keen on sealing his return to the Premier League and would be open to moving into the Villa hot seat.

Since replacing Dean Smith at the helm, Gerrard has led the Midlands giants to more defeats than victories despite previously winning silverware with Rangers.

Jones believes Villa’s trip to Nottingham Forest is a key moment of Gerrard’s tenure and a negative result could result in him being in danger of the sack.

The journalist understands that the 42-year-old is facing difficulties ahead of the Premier League encounter.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “The next game at Forest does feel like a really significant one in their season and probably for Gerrard too.

“He has got to come up with the right game-plan for that one and find a way to get around all these problems they’ve got.”

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