Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa report card as ex Rangers boss warned over belief fear

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has been urged to "galvanise" his players after three consecutive defeats threatens to derail their Premier League season.

The former Rangers boss appeared to have the Villans trending in the right direction but setbacks against West Ham, Arsenal and Wolves.

And the big tests keep coming as Villa host Champions League chasing Tottenham on Saturday night as they look to stop the slump against Antonio Conte's side.

Gerrard's ability to get former team-mate Philipe Coutinho firing has been saluted by supporters but recent displays have cooled some of the hype that followed three wins against Brighton, Southampton and Leeds.

Birmingham Live 's Ashley Preece said: "That first half vs Wolves is the worst I've seen Villa in a long while. Against Arsenal, belief was lacking. Belief is what players have been struggling with of late. Gerrard really needs to galvanise the group in the last seven weeks; games coming thick and fast."

Gerrard is set to be handed a sizeable transfer kitty in the summer with central midfield appearing a key area he wants to strengthen.

Villa have been linked with a pair of £50m enforcers in Kalvin Phillips and Yves Bissouma as he looks to give a spark to his engine room.

Aston Villa currently sit in 11th place in the English Premier League as they strive for a top 10 finish.