Aston Villa need a win as ‘medicine’ for poor form, Steven Gerrard admits

Villa face Brighton on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways

Steven Gerrard admitted a win is the “medicine” Aston Villa need right now after a blip in form but he cautioned that beating Brighton is not a cure for all their ills.

Gerrard’s appointment as head coach corresponded with an upturn in fortunes for Villa, who won four of their first six games with the Liverpudlian at the helm but recent results have gone against them.

The former Rangers boss did not seek to downplay a lone victory in their last seven Premier League matches, which has left Villa 13th and looking over their shoulders as only seven points separate them from the relegation zone.

While Gerrard wants to correct the course, starting on Saturday at Brighton, he recognises there are broader issues that will not be solved overnight, even if he is heartened by his players’ attitude in the face of adversity.

“We have to admit that our form of late needs improving,” he told a press conference. “We’re all aware of that, no one more than myself, and Brighton gives us the opportunity to bounce back.

“A good win here is the medicine we all need right now. I think the character and the personality of the players after the last couple of results has been what I’ve wanted to see. I think no one in this group likes to be beat.

“Our form’s dropped, we admit that and take that on the chin but this wasn’t a job that was going to be sorted in 12, 13, 14 games.

“We knew that there was still a gap where we needed to get to and where we want to take the team to, that doesn’t change. If we go and win three on the spin, we know this is a long-term thing we need to improve.”

Gerrard, who has centre-back Ezri Konsa available again following suspension, has watched his