Aston Villa 'have to get deal for Gerrard replacement done' at Villa Park

Aston Villa should prioritise attempting to get a deal done which will see Mauricio Pochettino replace Steven Gerrard in the Villa Park hot seat, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Although Gerrard has been at the helm for less than a year, having been appointed as the Midlands giants’ head coach last November, there are serious doubts over his future.

According to The Telegraph, the Villa hierarchy have put Pochettino at the top of their shortlist of managerial targets as the pressure mounts on Gerrard.

The report suggests Gerrard could be sacked if positive results are not secured against Fulham and Brentford in the coming days and Pochettino – who won the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions during his time in charge of Paris Saint-Germain – could be the subject of an ambitious pursuit.

It is understood that Pochettino is plotting a return to the Premier League, having previously managed Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, and he is not only interested in taking over at a club competing in the Champions League.

Pochettino was reportedly under consideration to take over at Chelsea ahead of Graham Potter being appointed, while he also snubbed an approach from Ligue 1 side Nice last month.

The 50-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by French giants PSG during the summer.

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Jones believes that Villa have more chance of persuading Pochettino to take over if they make a move in the coming days rather than later in the campaign.

The journalist feels co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens need to hold discussions with the South American if they are having doubts over whether Gerrard is