Aston Villa sack Steven Gerrard

After a dismal 3-0 defeat to Fulham and a lacklustre performance by the club's players, Aston Villa have sacked Steven Gerrard last night. The former England international has been under pressure and faced a barrage of abuse from the club's support during the game, and now finds himself out of work after a hugely disappointing spell at Villa Park.

It is a major setback for Gerrard, who helped end Rangers' 10 years long pursuit of the Scottish Premier League title before moving to Villa. Chants of "sacked in the morning" rang around Craven Cottage, as a three goal victory for the Cottagers ended Gerrard's reign. Goals from Mitrovic, Harrison Reid and an own goal by Tyrone Mings cost Villa dearly.

Ironically, the last goal in a Villa game managed by Gerrard came from Tyrone Mings, the player that Gerrard stripped of the club captaincy before the season had even started.

Villa had only won two games in the Premier League so far this campaign.

A statement on the Aston Villa official website read: "Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that head coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect.

"We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future."

Several names have emerged as favourites for the role, including former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and QPR manager Michael Beale. Beale is also wanted by managerless Wolverhampton Wanderers.