"Utter Rubbish" - Liverpool Legend Slams Bizarre Steven Gerrard Conspiracy

The ex-Rangers boss joined Villa in November last year, and after a promising start he led his side to an underwhelming 14th placed finish.

Fowler, who played with Gerrard in two spells at Anfield, thinks Villa have got themselves a top coach who will only want the best for the club.

"It’s an easy stick to beat him over the head with – but I can tell you straight that’s a load of nonsense.

"His priority is Aston Villa. He’s there to do that job and that’s the only thing on his mind."

"It’s other people who ­mention Liverpool. Gerrard is embarrassed by it because, for him, it’s Aston Villa every hour of the day."

"The only progression he is interested in is being the best manager he can possibly be. He’s got that attitude, that desire to be successful. Those attributes are as strong now as when he was a player and look where that took him.

"When results don’t go your way of course there is going to be discontent. He won’t be content with losing games either. It ­probably kills him more than it kills the fans.

"That’s the type of manager you want – someone who ­really cares, and Steven does. He’s high profile and the spotlight is going to be on him more than some others.

"The problem is that if he does lose a few games – and it’s the same now with most managers as the patience of supporters seems to be more and more in short supply – it’s ‘Oh he’s not really bothered because he’s using Villa as a stepping stone to taking over from Jurgen Klopp’. That’s utter rubbish."