There isn’t much time in the Premier League. If your results aren’t good enough, you’re not going to be given much time to find the winning formula – it’s more likely you’ll be out the door. And if Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard feels his job is safe – he really shouldn’t.Southampton will face a Villa side that has won just once in the Premier League so far this season, with Gerrard under pressure following his side’s slow start. Combined with last season, they’ve got just three wins in their last 17 EPL matches.🗣 “What he did do in the tough moments is he stepped forward, that’s what we have to do.”Steven Gerrard says managers like Mikel Arteta and Ralph Hasenhüttl prove that some Premier League teams need to stick by their manager through bad moments pic.twitter.com/EHSvYgYcks— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 16, 2022 Former Aston Villa and Arsenal winger Paul Merson warned the former Liverpool captain that his team would have to deliver results quickly or he’ll be relieved of his duties in Birmingham.”This is a must-win game for Aston Villa. They got an unexpected 1-1 draw against Manchester City, and their game against Leicester City was called off, so this is a good chance for them to get all three points. It’s a results business, but I still believe Steven Gerrard still has some time left as Aston Villa manager. You never know in football as the fans play a big role in deciding the fate of a manager, but I don’t think they’ll look to sack him even if they lose this one.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6651286##Villa have gone 11 top-flight matches without a clean sheet, their longest run since a 26-game streak ended nine years ago. To make their situation even bleaker, they were relegated in each of the past three seasons in which they lost five or more of their opening seven league games, latterly from the Premier League in 2015/16.Emiliano Martinez missed Thursday’s training because of illness but is expected to play, while Ollie Watkins has also been unwell and will be assessed. Matty Cash is out with a hamstring injury, and Jan Bednarek is ineligible to face his parent club. Deadline day signing Leander Dendoncker has recovered from tonsillitis and could make his debut.Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento remain Southampton’s only absentees. Livramento is back training individually on grass after five months out with a knee injury.🔴𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘 #PremierLeague • Aston Villa vs Southampton• Notthingham Forest vs Fulham• Wolverhampton vs Man City• Newcastle vs Bournemouth• Tottenham vs Leicester• Brentford vs Arsenal• Everton vs West Ham● Matchweek #EPL pic.twitter.com/slk8bZLTwp— WF90HD (@WF90HD) September 16, 2022 Gerrard will rely on experienced striker Danny Ings to work the magic against his old club. He scored 46 goals in 100 appearances for Southampton before joining Villa in 2021.The Saints have shown strong character so far this season. All the points they’ve won have come from losing positions. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s players have conceded the first goal in each of their past five matches but have still found a way to get decent results.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 8Friday22:00: (2.15) Aston Villa (3.50) Southampton (3.60)22:00: (2.85) Nott.Forest (3.25) Fulham (2.70)Saturday14:30: (9.00) Wolverhampton (5.20) Man.City (1.38)17:00: (1.50) Newcastle (4.30) Bournemouth (7.75)19:30: (1.50) Tottenham (4.50) Leicester (7.25)Sunday14:00: (4.60) Brentford (3.70) Arsenal (1.85)16:15: (3.10) Everton (3.20) West Ham (2.55)***odds are subject to change***
