Steven Gerrard on the edge of Aston Villa’s ax as fans demand he ‘leave our club’ with boss hinting at exit amid slump

STEVEN GERRARD is about to be axed by Aston Villa after humiliation in Fulham

Villa were already 1-0 down when Douglas Luiz was sent off for a headbutt on Aleksandar Mitrovic.

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Angry Villa fans chanted ‘Steven Gerrard, get out of our club’ as Mitro’s penalty and a Tyrone Mings own goal sealed Craven Cottage’s defeat.

Boss Gerrard admitted: “I know I’m in a very difficult position right now. It’s tough, but I’m a man and I accept it.

“We’ll see what happens, but I’m a fighter and I will never give up anything.

“I can understand it and I can feel your frustration with them. It was a tough night for me personally. We didn’t show up.

“The performance was nowhere near good enough. The first half shocked me.

“I’m trying to find answers, but I won’t disrespect any of my players.”

Villa is 17th and has only scored to get out of the drop zone.

Harrison Reed put Fulham ahead before Villa midfielder Luiz was sent off in the 62nd minute for twisting Mitrovic after they tangled near the touchline. The Serb said: “I’m not usually the victim – I’m on the other side.

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“We got into the heat of the moment and he hit me on the nose with his head. That was a red card.”

It was the first time in Prem’s history that Villa had received a red card, conceded a penalty – for Matt Cash’s handball – and scored an own goal in the same game.

Gerrard added: “I came to the players at half-time looking for that reaction and when you go down to ten men it’s an even bigger mountain to climb.

“When you go up against each other like that, give the referee a decision, I have no complaints.

“The penalty is severe. The shot isn’t even on target and Cash is so close he can’t get his hand out of the way.”

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