Steven Gerrard pays tribute to women's football legend Anita Asante as her final match nears

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard commended Anita Asante ahead of the final match of her career.

Asante, who currently plays for Aston Villa Women, announced last month she was retiring from football.

The 37-year-old will grace the pitch for one last time as her side take on Birmingham City on Sunday.

In advance of her final game, Gerrard visited the women’s training ground to surprise Asante with a shirt for her retirement.

According to BBC Sport’s Emma Sanders, Gerrard also spoke with players and staff about how the Aston Villa men’s and women’s teams could work together more closely.

Asante came through the ranks at Arsenal, and was part of the quadruple-winning team in 2007.

She then joined Chelsea for a season in 2008, before moving to Sky Blue FC for the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer season in 2009.

Short stints at Saint Louis Athletica, Chicago Red Stars and Washington Freedom followed in 2010, before another season with Sky Blue FC.

Steven Gerrard commended Anita Asante today ahead of the final game of her legendary career.