Chelsea boss Potter backs Gerrard under fire

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has backed Steven Gerrard after a poor start to the season for Aston Villa.

Villa have won just two of their opening nine Premier League games, sitting just three points above the relegation zone, with only Wolves scoring less than their tally of seven goals.

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It has put boss Gerrard under pressure, with speculation Villa could leave the former Liverpool captain if results do not improve.

Potter made it clear that the situation can change quickly, adding that there is 'always someone under pressure' in the English top flight.

"Margins are very low in the Premier League - I'm sure Steven will want to improve their results," he said ahead of Chelsea's trip to Villa on Sunday.

"If they had beaten Forest, they would have gone above Liverpool, which shows you how quickly things change.

"There's always someone under pressure in the Premier League and right now it's Steven."

Chelsea's elimination of Thomas Tuchel and the appointment of Potter led to a rapid improvement in form, with the Blues unbeaten in his five games in charge and enjoying a four-game winning streak.

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It came despite a 'surreal' start to Potter's spell at Stamford Bridge and the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss is adamant there is still work to be done.

He added: "From the outside, the results are good, there are always things you can improve, but I can't stay here and complain about anything, with the results we have obtained.

"It was a really surreal start with the Queen dying, games being called off, not really knowing the players but I have to credit the players - they were really open and it went well.

"We haven't played that many games in the league, there are so many games to play."