Aston Villa: 'Huge blow' for Gerrard after behind-scenes change at Villa Park

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard suffered a ‘huge blow’ when Michael Beale left Villa Park in favour of the Queens Park Rangers job in the summer, according to Birmingham Live journalist Ashley Preece.

The Midlands giants have only registered two wins from their opening 10 Premier League matches of the campaign, leaving them precariously close to the relegation zone.

Having followed Gerrard from Scottish giants Rangers after his appointment as head coach last November, Beale walked away from Villa during the close season.

The 42-year-old was unveiled as QPR’s new head coach in June and has already enjoyed an eye-catching start to his Loftus Road reign.

Beale has led his side to within a point of Championship table-toppers Burnley and won seven of 15 matches in charge so far.

But it seems he could be in line for a quickfire return to the Midlands as, according to the Express & Star, Gerrard's former assistant is being considered for the head coach vacancy at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The report suggests Beale is on a shortlist of candidates put together by the Molineux hierarchy since Bruno Lage was sacked earlier this month, but an approach has not been made yet.

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Preece believes Beale's decision to leave Gerrard's side and take over at QPR has had an impact on Villa's early season form.

The journalist feels the players are still adapting to the ideas of former Blackpool chief Neil Critchley, who was appointed as the club's new assistant head coach hours after Beale's departure.

Preece told GIVEMESPORT: "I think it's been a really slow start to the season for Villa and Gerrard to say the least.

"Gerrard said after