Steven Gerrard at his unveiling as Aston Villa manager at Villa Park on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Getty
Steven Gerrard at his unveiling as Aston Villa manager at Villa Park on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Getty
Steven Gerrard at his unveiling as Aston Villa manager at Villa Park on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Getty
Steven Gerrard at his unveiling as Aston Villa manager at Villa Park on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Getty

Sport

Football

Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool far from his thoughts as he takes charge of Aston Villa

New manager starts reign against Brighton on Saturday promising 100 per cent commitment to new club

Richard Jolly
Richard Jolly

November 18, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Steven Gerrard insisted it is “very unfair” to suggest he sees Aston Villa as a stepping stone to managing Liverpool, without denying it is his dream job, but saying he hopes Jurgen Klopp signs a deal for life at Anfield.

Villa described their new manager as the best of 20 candidates they identified, believing he will “reignite” the club and take them on a journey back into Europe, starting against Brighton on Saturday.

Gerrard won Rangers’ 55th league title, but first for a decade, and said he left Ibrox with “a heavy heart” after completing the remit he was set in Glasgow.

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Villa chief executive Christian Purslow described the appointment as “a fantastic moment” in the history of the 1982 European champions but while he was managing director of Liverpool when his new manager was captain at Anfield, Gerrard was adamant favouritism played no part.

“The club was the reason I wanted this job,” he said. “I think people think that me and Christian Purslow are best mates and go to the cinema together but I hadn’t seen him in a long time.”

Gerrard argued the chance to return to the Premier League and be nearer his family were reasons for taking the Villa job rather than a path back to Anfield.

“That's very unfair,” he said. “You'll never hear me say this is a stepping stone, I am extremely honoured and proud to be in this position. I will be 100 per cent committed. I don't think it's wrong to have dreams and aspirations.

“Liverpool have a world-class coach that they are very happy with and if he signed a lifetime contract I would be very happy. Everyone around the world knows what Liverpool means to me but my focus and commitment is very much on Aston Villa and I am all in.”

Southampton 1 Aston Villa 0: player ratings

SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Alex McCarthy: 7 - The goalkeeper had a fine game, making just one nervy error in the second-half. AFP
SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Alex McCarthy: 7 - The goalkeeper had a fine game, making just one nervy error in the second-half. AFP
Tino Livramento: 7 - The 18-year-old continued to impress at right-back. He often ventured down the flank but defended just as well when needed. AP
Tino Livramento: 7 - The 18-year-old continued to impress at right-back. He often ventured down the flank but defended just as well when needed. AP
Jan Bednarek: 6 - Bednarek was professional at the back, doing the basics right to help his side see out the win. AP
Jan Bednarek: 6 - Bednarek was professional at the back, doing the basics right to help his side see out the win. AP
Mohammed Salisu: 5 - Caused issues playing the ball back to his goalkeeper without looking several times. The away side almost capitalised on it. Getty
Mohammed Salisu: 5 - Caused issues playing the ball back to his goalkeeper without looking several times. The away side almost capitalised on it. Getty
Kyle Walker-Peters: 7 - The full-back was playing on the left, despite the right being his usual position. He consistently caused Villa issues very high up the pitch, often taking Cash on one-on-one. AP
Kyle Walker-Peters: 7 - The full-back was playing on the left, despite the right being his usual position. He consistently caused Villa issues very high up the pitch, often taking Cash on one-on-one. AP
Mohamed Elyounoussi: 6 - The 27-year-old put in a good performance, especially in the first-half where he would constantly look to take on his opposite full-back in a positive manner. Getty
Mohamed Elyounoussi: 6 - The 27-year-old put in a good performance, especially in the first-half where he would constantly look to take on his opposite full-back in a positive manner. Getty
James Ward-Prowse: 7 - The Saints captain was an important figure, helping dictate play when they dominated but also leading well when forced to defend. Getty
James Ward-Prowse: 7 - The Saints captain was an important figure, helping dictate play when they dominated but also leading well when forced to defend. Getty
Oriol Romeu: 6 - Romeu provided important cover when the away side attempted to hit them on the counter-attack. Getty
Oriol Romeu: 6 - Romeu provided important cover when the away side attempted to hit them on the counter-attack. Getty
Stuart Armstrong: 6 - Lively in the first-half, but was sacrificed as Southampton changed shape to cope with Villa’s attack. Getty
Stuart Armstrong: 6 - Lively in the first-half, but was sacrificed as Southampton changed shape to cope with Villa’s attack. Getty
Adam Armstrong: 8 - The striker opened the scoring early in the first-half, latching on to a loose ball with a fantastic strike from the edge of the box. AFP
Adam Armstrong: 8 - The striker opened the scoring early in the first-half, latching on to a loose ball with a fantastic strike from the edge of the box. AFP
Che Adams:7 - The striker put in a hard-working performance throughout, chasing everything and trying to cause chaos. AFP
Che Adams:7 - The striker put in a hard-working performance throughout, chasing everything and trying to cause chaos. AFP
SUBS: Lyanco (For S.Armstrong 57’): 6 - The defender came on as the Saints switched to a five to try and combat Villa’s whirlwind start to the second half. He performed well and helped them see out the game. Getty
SUBS: Lyanco (For S.Armstrong 57’): 6 - The defender came on as the Saints switched to a five to try and combat Villa’s whirlwind start to the second half. He performed well and helped them see out the game. Getty
Ibrahima Diallo (For Elyounoussi 76’): 6 - The midfielder to see out the final stages and did so well. AP
Ibrahima Diallo (For Elyounoussi 76’): 6 - The midfielder to see out the final stages and did so well. AP
Armando Broja (For A. Armstrong 81’): 6 - The Chelsea loanee came on as fresh legs to keep up the press in the last few moments. AP
Armando Broja (For A. Armstrong 81’): 6 - The Chelsea loanee came on as fresh legs to keep up the press in the last few moments. AP
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez: 6 - The 29-year-old was rarely tested, with a fantastic strike being the only thing he couldn’t stop on the night. PA
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez: 6 - The 29-year-old was rarely tested, with a fantastic strike being the only thing he couldn’t stop on the night. PA
Matt Targett: 7 - The left-back won most of his duels and kept his flank relatively secure. AP
Matt Targett: 7 - The left-back won most of his duels and kept his flank relatively secure. AP
Tyrone Mings:7 - Mings made his return to the side and was a key defensive figure, clearing the majority of the danger around him. Getty
Tyrone Mings:7 - Mings made his return to the side and was a key defensive figure, clearing the majority of the danger around him. Getty
Axel Tuanzebe: 5 - The centre-back lost the majority of his duels and was fortunate to walk away with just a yellow after bringing down Armstrong through on goal. AP
Axel Tuanzebe: 5 - The centre-back lost the majority of his duels and was fortunate to walk away with just a yellow after bringing down Armstrong through on goal. AP
Matt Cash: 5 - Cash had a tough evening, often isolated and defending in a two v one situation on his flank. AFP
Matt Cash: 5 - Cash had a tough evening, often isolated and defending in a two v one situation on his flank. AFP
Marvelous Nakamba: 6 - The midfielder won the majority of his duels in the middle of the park whilst looking to get his side on the front foot. Reuters
Marvelous Nakamba: 6 - The midfielder won the majority of his duels in the middle of the park whilst looking to get his side on the front foot. Reuters
John McGinn: 6 - The 27-year-old had to fight his way into the game, but managed to have some influence as it progressed. AP
John McGinn: 6 - The 27-year-old had to fight his way into the game, but managed to have some influence as it progressed. AP
Leon Bailey: 4 - The winger saw a lot of the ball going forward but created little. He caused his side many problems by not tracking back, meaning Cash was often isolated. AP
Leon Bailey: 4 - The winger saw a lot of the ball going forward but created little. He caused his side many problems by not tracking back, meaning Cash was often isolated. AP
Emiliano Buendia: 5- The playmaker struggled to get on the ball in the opening half and although he began to grow into the game, he was taken off in the second half with a slight injury concern. AP
Emiliano Buendia: 5- The playmaker struggled to get on the ball in the opening half and although he began to grow into the game, he was taken off in the second half with a slight injury concern. AP
Anwar El Ghazi:5 - El Ghazi was fortunate to stay on the pitch, receiving an early yellow card before making a risky challenge and then diving in the penalty area. He struggled to track back and help defend at times. PA
Anwar El Ghazi:5 - El Ghazi was fortunate to stay on the pitch, receiving an early yellow card before making a risky challenge and then diving in the penalty area. He struggled to track back and help defend at times. PA
Ollie Watkins: 5 - The striker struggled to get into the game, getting very few chances fall his way. PA
Ollie Watkins: 5 - The striker struggled to get into the game, getting very few chances fall his way. PA
SUBS: Jacob Ramsey (For Nakamba 63’): 6 - Ramsey showed promising sparks, but got little chance to create anything clear-cut. Getty
SUBS: Jacob Ramsey (For Nakamba 63’): 6 - Ramsey showed promising sparks, but got little chance to create anything clear-cut. Getty
Cameron Archer (For Buendia 71’): 6 - Archer had one or two opportunities to impact, but few clear-cut opportunities to score. PA
Cameron Archer (For Buendia 71’): 6 - Archer had one or two opportunities to impact, but few clear-cut opportunities to score. PA
Keinan Davis (For El Ghazi 78’): 6 - The striker came on as Villa went in search of a late equaliser, but didn’t have an opportunity. AP
Keinan Davis (For El Ghazi 78’): 6 - The striker came on as Villa went in search of a late equaliser, but didn’t have an opportunity. AP

Gerard Houllier, who appointed the midfielder Liverpool captain at just 23, went on to manage Villa and Gerrard has followed in the footsteps of a late mentor. “I'm sure he is looking down and very proud, he went out of his way to really change me as a person and helped me a lot as a player,” he said.

Villa have lost their last five games, conceding 13 goals, and while Gerrard hopes to turn Villa into an attacking, passing team, his first focus will be on improving the defence.

“Stats don't lie,” he said. “We are the eighth top scorers. That shows we have exciting players and creation has been OK but at the moment we are conceding too many goals, so it is quite clear we need to tighten up. I want to be exciting to watch and entertaining. We will become a possession-based team. When we can transition into that? Time will tell.”

Sporting director Johan Lange said Villa conducted an extensive search after sacking Dean Smith. “We had a list of 20 coaches, and this shortlist was provided to the board, we had conversations with four of them and Gerrard was the outstanding candidate,” he said.

An “absolutely thrilled” Purslow added: “The feeling is one of excitement. Steven’s drive, his determination, his constant pressing himself to be the best he can be: these are personal qualities we think will fit well with our club.

“Managing Aston Villa is one of the most prestigious jobs in football anywhere and for Steven take this position is a fantastic moment in this club’s history. I think Steven’s arrival will reignite the club and push us forward. We have made no secret of the fact that this is one of the tiny number of British clubs that has won the European Cup. That stage, playing in Europe, is something that is an exciting dream for our fans.”

UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

Towering concerns
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
More on this story:
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

War on waste
Our coronavirus coverage
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day

Sleep Well Beast
The National
4AD

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 715bhp

Torque: 900Nm

Price: Dh1,289,376

On sale: now

Tips from the expert

Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.

  1. Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
  2. It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
  3. Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
  4. Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
TOURNAMENT INFO

Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers

Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends

Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.

TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.

On Women's Day
While you're here
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
While you're here
The biog

Age: 59

From: Giza Governorate, Egypt

Family: A daughter, two sons and wife

Favourite tree: Ghaf

Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense 

Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”

Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
E-cigarettes report
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV

Power: 360bhp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh282,870

On sale: now

Company profile

Date started: January, 2014

Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe

Based: Dubai

Sector: Education technology

Size: Five employees

Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.

Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

UAE currency
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%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Results

Stage Two:

1. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 04:20:45

2. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix

3. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates

4. Olav Kooij (NED) Jumbo-Visma

5. Arnaud Demare (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

General Classification:

1. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix 09:03:03

2. Dmitry Strakhov (RUS) Gazprom-Rusvelo 00:00:04

3. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 00:00:06

4. Sam Bennett (IRL) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:00:10

5. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:12

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: ten-speed

Power: 420bhp

Torque: 624Nm

Price: Dh325,125

On sale: Now

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

COMPANY PROFILE

Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2014

Number of employees: 36

Sector: Logistics

Raised: $2.5 million

Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Match info

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Liverpool v Porto, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)

Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports

Updated: November 18, 2021, 4:09 PM`
Premier LeagueAston VillaLiverpool