'Certainly a gap' - Steven Gerrard sends Aston Villa stars key message ahead of Arsenal test

Steven Gerrard says there is a "gap in terms of results" that Aston Villa need to be "mindful" of when playing against top-four sides, as they host Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

Villa had returned to winning ways after defeats to Newcastle and Watford, recording wins over Brighton Hove & Albion, Southampton and Leeds. But West Ham who are pushing for a top-four finish, proved to be on a different level at the London Stadium last weekend, as the Villans fell to a 2-1 defeat.

A similar test awaits against the Gunners who have been in flying form, also pushing for a European finish. In their last six games, five wins were secured, before they fell to a midweek defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

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The Villa boss previously admitted that he feels the team need to be "better prepared" for demanding and challenging encounters against these sides.

"I need to analyse that and make sure we make the right decisions moving forward," said Gerrard following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat