Steven Gerrard has been sacked by Aston Villa after 3-0 defeat to Fulham

Steven Gerrard has been sacked as Aston Villa manager after a 3-0 defeat to Fulham.

Pressure has been mounting on the former Rangers boss in recent weeks after a poor run of form and with the club in 17th position and loitering above the relegation zone, the Midlands outfit have decided to relieve him of his duties.

A statement from Villa after the game read: "Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that Head Coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect.

"A club spokesman said: 'We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.'

Villa have won just two out of eleven games in the league this season, drawing three and losing six. They've only scored a mere seven goals and were second best against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Goals from Harrison Reed and Aleksandar Mitrovic put Marco Silva's men 2-0 up and after Douglas Luiz was sent off for a wild headbutt, an own goal from Tyrone Mings completely a miserable night all-round.

The former England skipper looked like a broken man in his interview with Amazon Prime Video after the game.

Gerrard said: “I’m a fighter. I will never quit, in football or in life. It's tough, I'm a man and I accept and I understand it.

"I can feel their frustration. I'm frustrated with them. It was a tough night for me personally."

Villa are only out of the relegation zone ahead of 18th placed Wolves by two goals, with the two Midlands sides having an identical points tally and goal difference.

According to reports, former Spurs and Paris Saint-Germain Mauricio Pochettino is Villa's top choice to replace Gerrard.