Steven Gerrard insisted it is “very unfair” to suggest he sees Aston Villa as a stepping stone to managing Liverpool, without denying it is his dream job, but saying he hopes Jurgen Klopp signs a deal for life at Anfield.
Villa described their new manager as the best of 20 candidates they identified, believing he will “reignite” the club and take them on a journey back into Europe, starting against Brighton on Saturday.
Gerrard won Rangers’ 55th league title, but first for a decade, and said he left Ibrox with “a heavy heart” after completing the remit he was set in Glasgow.
Villa chief executive Christian Purslow described the appointment as “a fantastic moment” in the history of the 1982 European champions but while he was managing director of Liverpool when his new manager was captain at Anfield, Gerrard was adamant favouritism played no part.
“The club was the reason I wanted this job,” he said. “I think people think that me and Christian Purslow are best mates and go to the cinema together but I hadn’t seen him in a long time.”
Gerrard argued the chance to return to the Premier League and be nearer his family were reasons for taking the Villa job rather than a path back to Anfield.
“That's very unfair,” he said. “You'll never hear me say this is a stepping stone, I am extremely honoured and proud to be in this position. I will be 100 per cent committed. I don't think it's wrong to have dreams and aspirations.
“Liverpool have a world-class coach that they are very happy with and if he signed a lifetime contract I would be very happy. Everyone around the world knows what Liverpool means to me but my focus and commitment is very much on Aston Villa and I am all in.”
Southampton 1 Aston Villa 0: player ratings
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SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Alex McCarthy: 7 - The goalkeeper had a fine game, making just one nervy error in the second-half. AFP -
Tino Livramento: 7 - The 18-year-old continued to impress at right-back. He often ventured down the flank but defended just as well when needed. AP -
Jan Bednarek: 6 - Bednarek was professional at the back, doing the basics right to help his side see out the win. AP -
Mohammed Salisu: 5 - Caused issues playing the ball back to his goalkeeper without looking several times. The away side almost capitalised on it. Getty -
Kyle Walker-Peters: 7 - The full-back was playing on the left, despite the right being his usual position. He consistently caused Villa issues very high up the pitch, often taking Cash on one-on-one. AP -
Mohamed Elyounoussi: 6 - The 27-year-old put in a good performance, especially in the first-half where he would constantly look to take on his opposite full-back in a positive manner. Getty -
James Ward-Prowse: 7 - The Saints captain was an important figure, helping dictate play when they dominated but also leading well when forced to defend. Getty -
Oriol Romeu: 6 - Romeu provided important cover when the away side attempted to hit them on the counter-attack. Getty -
Stuart Armstrong: 6 - Lively in the first-half, but was sacrificed as Southampton changed shape to cope with Villa’s attack. Getty -
Adam Armstrong: 8 - The striker opened the scoring early in the first-half, latching on to a loose ball with a fantastic strike from the edge of the box. AFP -
Che Adams:7 - The striker put in a hard-working performance throughout, chasing everything and trying to cause chaos. AFP -
SUBS: Lyanco (For S.Armstrong 57’): 6 - The defender came on as the Saints switched to a five to try and combat Villa’s whirlwind start to the second half. He performed well and helped them see out the game. Getty -
Ibrahima Diallo (For Elyounoussi 76’): 6 - The midfielder to see out the final stages and did so well. AP -
Armando Broja (For A. Armstrong 81’): 6 - The Chelsea loanee came on as fresh legs to keep up the press in the last few moments. AP -
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez: 6 - The 29-year-old was rarely tested, with a fantastic strike being the only thing he couldn’t stop on the night. PA -
Matt Targett: 7 - The left-back won most of his duels and kept his flank relatively secure. AP -
Tyrone Mings:7 - Mings made his return to the side and was a key defensive figure, clearing the majority of the danger around him. Getty -
Axel Tuanzebe: 5 - The centre-back lost the majority of his duels and was fortunate to walk away with just a yellow after bringing down Armstrong through on goal. AP -
Matt Cash: 5 - Cash had a tough evening, often isolated and defending in a two v one situation on his flank. AFP -
Marvelous Nakamba: 6 - The midfielder won the majority of his duels in the middle of the park whilst looking to get his side on the front foot. Reuters -
John McGinn: 6 - The 27-year-old had to fight his way into the game, but managed to have some influence as it progressed. AP -
Leon Bailey: 4 - The winger saw a lot of the ball going forward but created little. He caused his side many problems by not tracking back, meaning Cash was often isolated. AP -
Emiliano Buendia: 5- The playmaker struggled to get on the ball in the opening half and although he began to grow into the game, he was taken off in the second half with a slight injury concern. AP -
Anwar El Ghazi:5 - El Ghazi was fortunate to stay on the pitch, receiving an early yellow card before making a risky challenge and then diving in the penalty area. He struggled to track back and help defend at times. PA -
Ollie Watkins: 5 - The striker struggled to get into the game, getting very few chances fall his way. PA -
SUBS: Jacob Ramsey (For Nakamba 63’): 6 - Ramsey showed promising sparks, but got little chance to create anything clear-cut. Getty -
Cameron Archer (For Buendia 71’): 6 - Archer had one or two opportunities to impact, but few clear-cut opportunities to score. PA -
Keinan Davis (For El Ghazi 78’): 6 - The striker came on as Villa went in search of a late equaliser, but didn’t have an opportunity. AP
Gerard Houllier, who appointed the midfielder Liverpool captain at just 23, went on to manage Villa and Gerrard has followed in the footsteps of a late mentor. “I'm sure he is looking down and very proud, he went out of his way to really change me as a person and helped me a lot as a player,” he said.
Villa have lost their last five games, conceding 13 goals, and while Gerrard hopes to turn Villa into an attacking, passing team, his first focus will be on improving the defence.
“Stats don't lie,” he said. “We are the eighth top scorers. That shows we have exciting players and creation has been OK but at the moment we are conceding too many goals, so it is quite clear we need to tighten up. I want to be exciting to watch and entertaining. We will become a possession-based team. When we can transition into that? Time will tell.”
Sporting director Johan Lange said Villa conducted an extensive search after sacking Dean Smith. “We had a list of 20 coaches, and this shortlist was provided to the board, we had conversations with four of them and Gerrard was the outstanding candidate,” he said.
An “absolutely thrilled” Purslow added: “The feeling is one of excitement. Steven’s drive, his determination, his constant pressing himself to be the best he can be: these are personal qualities we think will fit well with our club.
“Managing Aston Villa is one of the most prestigious jobs in football anywhere and for Steven take this position is a fantastic moment in this club’s history. I think Steven’s arrival will reignite the club and push us forward. We have made no secret of the fact that this is one of the tiny number of British clubs that has won the European Cup. That stage, playing in Europe, is something that is an exciting dream for our fans.”
