Aston Villa 'dismiss reports of Steven Gerrard sacking'

Aston Villa have reportedly dismissed reports that they parted company with boss Steven Gerrard on Monday evening.

Despite putting together a four-match unbeaten streak, it was perceived that the Villa boss was under increasing pressure ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against Chelsea.

Although the West Midlands outfit were the better team for large periods of the contest, they ultimately succumbed by a 2-0 scoreline, not helped by two individual mistakes and a succession of missed opportunities.

While positives could be taken from the performance, Villa now sit in 16th position in the top-flight standings, just one point above the relegation zone.

On Monday night, it was claimed that the Villa hierarchy had taken the decision to relieve Gerrard of his duties in the dugout.

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Furthermore, former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Villarreal boss Unai Emery were strongly linked with what was reported to be a vacant role.

However, according to the Birmingham Mail, there is no truth in the rumour and Gerrard is currently still in charge of the first team.

The outlet quote the club's communications director Tommy Jordan as saying that the story which emerged was 'complete lies'.

If, as expected, Gerrard remains in charge of Villa over the coming days, he will be aware of the pressure on himself and his team as they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Thursday evening.

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Nevertheless, the upside is that Villa can move ahead of their hosts, who sit in 11th position, if they win by a two-goal margin in West London.

However, Villa have only scored more than once in a Premier League fixture on one occasion this season, that match coming against Everton on the second weekend in August.

Gerrard has also witnessed his team net only four goals in their most recent six games ahead of what may prove to be a defining double-header this week.

As well as facing Fulham, Villa play host to Brentford three days later, another team in ninth spot who are only four points ahead of them in the table.

Villa's last victory away from home in the Premier League came on May 7, their current winless streak on the road stretching to six encounters.