Steven Gerrard: Aston Villa sack manager after heavy defeat at Fulham

Published by: Sodiq Agbaogun Olamilekan

Aston Villa have sacked manager Steven Gerrard following Thursday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Fulham.

Gerrard is the fourth Premier League manager to be sacked this season after Bournemouth dismissed Scott Parker in August, Thomas Tuchel left Chelsea and was replaced by Brighton boss Graham Potter in September and Wolves parted company with Bruno Lage earlier this month.

The average tenure for a Premier League manager currently stands at two years and four days - more than double the amount of time Gerrard lasted at Villa Park.

Before Gerrard's departure was revealed, captain John McGinn said: "It's embarrassing to be part of. We've let the travelling fans down, the manager down. It's a bad night for us.

"It doesn't matter who's in charge of that team. It's nothing to do with the manager - the players have to look at themselves in the mirror. We've definitely not lost faith in [the manager] - it's us who are responsible.

"He's a top manager, he's hurting just as the players are. We've let him down tonight. It's up to us now to put in a performance for him."

Villa fans sang various anti-Gerrard chants during the game at Craven Cottage.