Gerrard fears Aston Villa sacking after Arsenal defeat

Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard has conceded he is concerned about his position at the club amid poor form.

A 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Wednesday marked Villa's fourth defeat in the opening five games of the Premier League season, sitting second-bottom in the table at this early stage.

Having been mocked by his own supporters following the loss to West Ham at the weekend, a third loss on the rebound increased the pressure on Gerrard.

Premier League clubs are sadly lacking patience with officials, as Bournemouth showed by axing Scott Parker with just four games played, and Gerrard admitted he fears finding himself in a similar position.

"I'm really honest and self-critical. I'll do my job the best I can, I'll move on, I'll take responsibility the best I can," he said after the loss. at the Emirates Stadium.

"But if I stood here and told you that I am not concerned, I think you would look at me as if I were from another planet."

Villa's loss to Arsenal will be all the more frustrating as Gabriel Martinelli scored the winning goal just 151 seconds after Douglas Luiz equalized for the visitors, who may well have bid farewell in style.

The Brazilian has been heavily linked with an exit before the transfer window closes on Thursday and Gerrard has been unable to guarantee he will stay.

"I don't control this. There are more than two people controlling this, but I'm definitely not one of them," he added.

"It will be Douglas, it will be his agent's decision as to what happens around that. I would like to keep him because he is a fantastic player. I have been very clear.

"We're not in a position where we have to lose our best players, but at the same time Douglas has another year to go, and it's one of those really tricky situations where the club has to do what who is best for the club and not necessarily what is best for me.”