Steven Gerrard and the damning Aston Villa evidence that underlines mammoth life after Rangers task

Premier League side Aston Villa are bottom of a new study which ranks them the worst spending teams in the Premier League.

It comes amid Steven Gerrard 's side toiling at the wrong end of the table despite their promising 1-1 draw with champions Manchester City. But the former Rangers boss has found consistent results hard to come by as he aims to turn the Villains back into top 10 regulars. Owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris are highly ambitious but there appears to be mitigating factors as to why Gerrard is finding life tough in the Midlands. The study, commissioned by OLBG, makes grim reading for Villa as they prop up the rear among the 20 current Premiership teams over a 10-year period.

The findings factor in cash spent, money received, commercial value weighted against purchase value and how that is reflected in terms of trophies plus league positions. Gerrard has been backed in the transfer market to the tune of £60million, plus the money-spinning deals for Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings months before he arrived.

The Liverpool icon was viewed as the man to force Villa back into contention, however, the damning figures appear he is swimming against the tide. They have a galling net spend of –£327m with an average league position of 16th in the Premier League. Philipe Countinho as marquee arrival, however, he has been unable to fill the maverick element in the final third which left when Jack Grealish joined Manchester City.

Gerrard will be acutely aware their rousing point against Pep Guardiola's side must act as a catalyst, rather than a singular act of defiance. But the raw numbers are a chastening reminder clubs outwith the established top six face in trying to gatecrash the part among European