London (PA Media\/dpa) \u2013 Steven Gerrard is relishing the challenge of resurrecting Aston Villa\u2019s Premier League fortunes as he prepares to take charge of the club for the first time against Brighton on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Gerrard paid tribute to his Villa predecessor Dean Smith but is in no doubt about the size of the task he faces, with the club currently languishing in 16th place after five consecutive defeats.<\/p>\n
\u00abI like a challenge, I like a risk,\u00bb he told the club homepage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this club will suit me because the fans are very passionate and there is pressure here to win. For me it is about bringing everyone together to believe we can do exciting things together.<\/p>\n
\u201cDean Smith is someone I\u2019ve got a lot of admiration and respect for. I can\u2019t control how things happen but I think the success he\u2019s had here and the respect he\u2019s gained … he\u2019s going to be a hard act to follow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone knows I\u2019ve got the job for a reason. The form of late has dipped and for me it is very much a case of getting involved and analysing the squad close up, because there is a lot of talent in this squad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gerrard insisted there will be no split emotions when he takes his new side to Anfield to face his old club Liverpool next month.<\/p>\n
The 41-year-old is braced for a wave of interest in the fixture but he maintained: \u201cI don\u2019t think me or anyone else will be able to control the noise. For me, that\u2019s not important.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is important is the chance to go to Anfield and win, to take maximum points, which is the attitude and mentality we have going into every game. It is what it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to win every game. My priority and focus, and everything I will give on a daily basis, will be for Aston Villa.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing I can guarantee the supporters, the players and the staff here is that when I commit to something, I\u2019m all in.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
London (PA Media\/dpa) \u2013 Steven Gerrard is relishing the challenge of resurrecting Aston Villa\u2019s Premier League fortunes as he prepares to take charge of the club for the first time against Brighton on Saturday. Gerrard paid tribute to his Villa predecessor Dean Smith but is in no doubt about the size of the task he […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1067967,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1101455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actualidad"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t