LONDON: Steven Gerrard has become the favourite to replace Dean Smith as manager of Aston Villa.

Smith, who guided the club back to the top flight, paid the price for the team’s disappointing form this season with Villa having lost their last five games.

Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Southampton proved the last act for Smith, that result leaving Villa with just 10 points from their opening 11 games.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has been favourite to replace Smith since Smith’s departure. One strand of thought is that Villa would be the ideal Premier stepping stone for Gerrard on the way to becoming long-term likely successor to Jurgen Klopp back at Liverpool.

Villa chief executive Christian Purslow said in a statement on the club’s website: “This year we have not seen the continuous improvement in results, performances and league position which we have all been looking for.

“For this reason we have decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact.”

Villa chief executive Christian Purslow said in a statement on the club’s website: “This year we have not seen the continuous improvement in results, performances and league position which we have all been looking for.

“For this reason we have decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact.”

Frank Lampard has been linked with also with bottom club Norwich who sacked Daniel Farke at the weekend.

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