Gabby Agbonlahor applauds Steven Gerrard for Aston Villa turnaround as club legend insists 'the pressure is off'

Aston Villa hero Gabby Agbonlahor insists the pressure is now off Steven Gerrard 's shoulders after they arrested their slump before the international break.

Gerrard had been under serious scrutiny after four defeats in their first five games left Villa languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League table. But a draw with Manchester City earlier this month lifted the spirits and after their clash with Leicester was postponed following the Queen's passing, they beat Southampton to sign off for the international break in style.

It gives the former Rangers boss a bit of breathing room after many had tipped him to be the next manager in England's top flight to face the sack. And Agbonlahor reckons their struggles are behind them now - even if they weren't at their best in their much-needed victory over Southampton. He told Football Insider : “Sometimes you’ve got to be honest. He said it wasn’t the best football but he got a result, that’s what it’s about at times. Managers will get sacked and players will be judged more on results.

“Some players aren’t at it at time and you get the result, the pressure is now off. If they had played a lot better and lost the game by a lucky goal then everyone wouldn’t be saying how well they played, they’d be saying ‘we’ve only got four points, Gerrard out’.

“He’s maybe learning a bit more now that yes, you want to play this amazing football, sometimes it’s not going to happen, you’ve got to get the result, get the three points. Teams have won Premier League titles and Champions Leagues not playing the best football but by getting the result that’s needed. There’s a fine balance and I think he’s got that.”

READ NEXT