Gerrard can save Villa millions by unleashing “athletic” 19 y/o prodigy, "he's ready" - opinion

After getting beat 1-0 against Newcastle United, Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard said that changes need to take place in the team moving forward.

Having then been beaten by Watford by another 1-0 scoreline in their latest league outing, it seems as though Gerrard may have a bigger problem on his hands than originally feared, with his side now having only won one of their seven previous league games.

Moving forward, one big change that the Villa boss could look to make in his team is by giving young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam his first taste of senior football at the Midlands club.

The 19-year-old has been involved on the substitutes bench for Villa’s last seven games, showing that he is on the fringes of breaking into the first team after joining the club back in the previous summer transfer window from fellow Midlands outfit West Bromwich Albion.

Since becoming a Villa player, the midfielder, who has been described as “athletic” in the past by the club’s academy manager Mark Harrison, Iroegbunam has made 18 appearances for their U23 side, chipping in with one goal and one assist in the process.

Earlier this month, Gerrard had this to say about the teenager and his situation regarding when he’ll make his first senior appearance for the Villans.

He said: “I know he’s ready but, the midfield area at the moment for us, I’m really pleased with it. It’s looking good, looking strong. Tim has to keep pushing and fighting.”

Taking this into account, perhaps Villa’s two previous results will have swayed Gerrard into making a change with his team selection and giving the young midfielder a chance to show what he can do in the Premier League.

While unleashing the Englishman could be a positive solution for Villa’s current issues