ASTON VILLA VS WEST HAM: STEVEN GERRARD KNOWS A VICTORY WILL SILENCE DOUBTERS

Steven Gerrard is targeting victory over West Ham to help quieten the critics after Villa’s stumbling start to the season. Though the campaign is not even a month old, Gerrard is aware of the scrutiny upon both himself and his team following some unconvincing performances and a return of just three points from the first three Premier League matches.

A win over the Hammers, he believes, would go a long way to altering perceptions and leave Villa in an acceptable place at the start of a testing week which also includes matches against early season table toppers Arsenal and champions Manchester City. Villa head into the match on the back of a 4-1 Carabao Cup win at Bolton which, albeit against League One opposition, was only the second time they have come from behind to claim victory since Gerrard took charge last November. Read more »