Daily Record sends out Gerrard distress signal over Villa vacancy

The Daily Record is sounding the alarm bells over Aston Villa’s interest in Steven Gerrard.

At lunchtime yesterday Villa decided thar five defeats on the bounce was too much for Dean Smith with the lifelong fan collecting his pay-off with the search for a new manager underway.

In their third season back in the EPL Villa has lost the attention that Jack Grealish brought to the Midlands.

With Newcastle the latest super rich club it is highly unlikely that Villa will be competing for trophies but being managed by one of the players from England’s Golden Generation will bring attention their way.

Gerrard can count on the lobbying from the Anfield Network of Jamie Carragher, Danny Murphy and Jamie Redknapp at just the moment distress signals are coming out of Ibrox.

Pulling in on a lead from John Cross of the Mirror, the Daily Record reports:

Steven Gerrard is on Aston Villa ’s shortlist to replace sacked Dean Smith.

The Rangers boss – who watched his side maintain their four-point lead at the top of the Premiership on Sunday – is on the radar for the Midlands club after winning the title last season.

Villa axed Smith after a run of five straight defeats which has left them just two points above the Premier League relegation zone and way short of their ambitions for the season.

The Villa hierarchy are now looking at potential replacements with Gerrard high on the list even though it’s far from certain whether he would leave Ibrox mid-season.

Gerrard would face a major dilemma if Villa made an offer and the club are looking at other options. Denmark’s highly-rated boss Kasper Hjulmand has also been heavily linked as he has a close relationship with sporting director Johan Lange.

After yesterday’s 4-2 win over Ross County Gerrard wasn’t asked any questions about the Villa vacancy. Gary McAllister was assistant manager at Villa under Gerard Houllier.