What Steven Gerrard said about Leeds United fans as Philippe Coutinho question prompts smile

Steven Gerrard praised Leeds United's supporters after Aston Villa ran out 3-0 winners in the Premier League clash on Thursday night.

Villa passed their Leeds test with flying colours at a raucous Elland Road that welcomed the home side's new manager Jesse Marsch for the first time since he replaced Marcelo Bielsa at the end of last month.

Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring with a deflected effort in the first-half before goals from Matty Cash and Calum Chambers wrapped up the points for Villa after the break.

Villa are now on a three-match winning run, their best spell of matches since early last season under Dean Smith.

Gerrard's men have put Leeds, Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion to the sword racking up nine goals across those games with Villa into ninth place and flying ahead of the final stretch of the season.

Speaking pitchside to Amazon Prime Video after the game, Gerrard praised his side for coming through a tough test against Leeds unscathed and for dealing with the atmosphere created by the supporters.

"When a new manager comes in you normally get that new-manager bounce and we knew Elland Road was going to be rocking tonight and it was, I don't think their fans let the team down today," Grrard said.

"I thought our performance as outstanding today and if it was a boxing match the towel might have come in because we were strong in all departments tonight."

The Coutinho question was always coming after the Brazilian's latest dazzling display and Gerrard could not resist a wry smile as he answered host Simon Thomas' question about landing the player on a permanent basis.

"I think you all know what my decision would be," Gerrard said.

"I think you all know what I think of him but this is not as