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Steven Gerrard has given his Aston Villa squad a frank assessment of their shortcomings after his biggest ever managerial defeat.

Villa boss Gerrard was dismayed by his side’s second half surrender in their 4-0 home loss to Tottenham on Saturday. It was Villa’s fourth successive loss of the season and the heaviest reverse since Gerrard became a first team boss with Rangers in 2018.

Unhappy Gerrard,41, didn’t hold back in the dressing room following the thrashing after Villa trailed 1-0 at the break. He told his players exactly what he was thinking and said members of the squad need to start working harder for their positions within the club. Gerrard was a serial winner with Liverpool where he won eight major trophies. He wants to see a better work ethic and more dedication from Villa’s players in the run-in. He has guided Villa to mid-table safety in 12th but is urging his squad to produce a top ten finish.

Villa return to action next Saturday at Leicester and have seven games left. Villa’s poor run of form has only strengthened Gerrard’s resolve for a major summer rebuild after taking over in November when the side were 16th after five successive defeats under Dean Smith. Gerrard has the financial backing of billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens for another busy window. In January he