Gerrard Determined To Turn Aston Villa Fortunes Around

Villa lie one place above the relegation zone after winning just two of their opening ten Premier League games.

Pressure is gradually building around Gerrard's position at Villa Park and reports this week have linked former Tottenham Hotspurs and Paris Saint Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino with the club.

Aston Villa travel to Fulham in the Premier League on Thursday, with Gerrard intent on using the game to turn his side's fortunes around.

"I'm here to fight and to lead every single minute of every day, and I've got every confidence and belief in myself that I can change this situation," Gerrard said on Wednesday.

"I'm game for these periods because I believe and know I can get through them if I stay true to myself. I'll front this head on, I'm game for it and I'll show everyone that I'm capable of getting out of this.

"I accept how I'm getting judged right now, but there's no one on the planet more determined to change it than myself and that's all I need to focus on, which is the next three points."

One player who has epitomised Villa's poor start to the season is Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazil international has no goal involvements in his ten games played since making his loan move from Barcelona permanent but Gerrard is optimistic his former Liverpool teammate will come good.

"The age he is at and the talent, I very much have full confidence and belief in Phil," Gerrard added. "Obviously the stats at the moment suggest that he's not in the best place or at his best, which we all understand.

"But we as a staff and me as his manager, will give him every bit of support he needs. You don't lose talent, you don't lose class. It's still there.

"Confidence and belief can change very quickly, so my opinion on Phil Coutinho won't ever change, because I see it on a daily basis. He's just got to replicate it in the games."