Pundits agree about Steven Gerrard's 'alarming' Aston Villa problem

Aston Villa can kickstart their push for a strong ending to the season with a win at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Villa have only won one of their last seven matches and head to Brighton on the back of two disappointing 1-0 defeats to relegation candidates Newcastle and Watford.

Steven Gerrard has said his Villa side can turn things around and ease the slight pressure that has come his way by beating Brighton ahead of another game with mid-table rivals Southampton next weekend.

Pundits Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov, former Manchester United team-mates, have both commented on Villa's profligacy in front of goal recently.

Villa have failed to score in each of their last couple of games and while they did draw 3-3 with Leeds United, they managed only five goals in as many games before the thriller with Marcelo Bielsa's side on February 9.

That’s two straight defeats for Villa, and two disappointing ones," Owen said in his prediction for Villa's clash with Brighton with gambling firm BetVictor.

"To lose to Newcastle and then Watford, particularly at home, will be frustrating for Steven Gerrard.

"Villa have so much attacking quality, so to go two games without scoring is alarming.

"This looks like a draw to me, I’m going for 1-1."

Meanwhile Berbatov has also noted Villa's poor showings and also reckons Gerrard's men do not have enough to beat Brighton.

"I like the way Brighton play but I expect Gerrard to get a reaction from his Villa team after some disappointing performances recently," he said.

Gerrard got his Villa reign off to a perfect start back in November when Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings netted late goals against Brighton.

Dean Smith had been sacked and Gerrard not long installed as his replacement