Gerrard could land the next Van Dijk with Villa move for “composed” £20k-pw “colossus” - opinion

It may only be three games into the new Premier League season for Aston Villa, although pressure is seemingly already mounting on manager Steven Gerrard, with little improvement having been made from last term despite a strong summer of recruitment.

Two defeats and a win thus far have ensured that the former Rangers boss has a dismal record of 14 defeats from his opening 30 league games in charge at Villa Park since his appointment back in November, having failed as yet to have the desired impact.

The 42-year-old has not been helped, however, by the loss of summer signing Diego Carlos, with the Brazilian defender set to be out for an extended period of time after suffering an Achilles’ injury in the victory over Everton last week.

The absence of the former Sevilla man could well see the Midlands outfit forced back into the market for another centre-back before the September deadline, with Chelsea starlet Trevoh Chalobah one name that has emerged on the rumour mill of late.

The suggestion is that the Villans are eyeing a loan swoop for the 23-year-old before the end of the window, with the Sierra Leone-born menace – who is also attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur – believed to be wary of losing his place at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues academy graduate is yet to feature this season under manager Thomas Tuchel, with the potential addition of Leicester City gem Wesley Fofana only set further harm his first-team chances.

That inability to earn a regular role – particularly following the exodus of centre-backs in the capital over the summer – has somewhat come as a surprise, following what was a real breakthrough campaign last time out for the £18m-rated “colossus”, as described by journalist Joe Krishnan.

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