Steven Gerrard insists attackers need to up their game
Steven Gerrard has admitted Villa need more from Philippe Coutinho but insists the Brazilian isn't the only attacker who needs to up his game.
Coutinho is yet to score or create a goal this season and his performances have come under increasing scrutiny, with his and Gerrard's former Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher claiming the 29-year-old looked "a shadow" of his former self during Monday's 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.
Gerrard claims the playmaker has acknowledged he must improve, saying: "Phil knows he can be better. He has been open and said that himself.
"But he is not the only one. From an attacking point of view we are getting to really good areas of the pitch.
"It is more than Phil in the final third who has to step forward in the final third. Once we get that from the big players, the big names, I am sure we can move up the league.
"Had we got it at Nottingham Forest we would be talking about sitting ninth in the table. That is the frustrating thing."
Villa have scored just seven times in nine Premier League matches and Gerrard is expected to make changes for Sunday's home match against Chelsea.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.