Premier League betting news & odds: Steven Gerrard named new Aston Villa manager

Steven Gerrard has been confirmed as the new manager of Aston Villa and Hills offer 80-1 that he makes a flying start by winning his first three Premier League matches at the helm.

Gerrard, who left Scottish champions Rangers to succeed Dean Smith at Villa Park, begins his reign with a home fixture against Brighton on November 20 and Ladbrokes go 3-1 that he wins a trophy during his time at the club.

Villa, who lost their last five league games of Smith's tenure, are 8-5 to beat the Seagulls before they travel to Crystal Palace and host champions Manchester City in their following two matches.

On December 11, former Liverpool captain Gerrard will take his side to Anfield, where they are 11-1 with Ladbrokes to pick up three points.

Bet365 go 40-1 that Villa do the double over Liverpool in the league this season. Last term they beat the Reds 7-2 at Villa Park but Trent Alexander-Arnold's late strike gave Jurgen Klopp's men a 2-1 win in the return fixture. Klopp's side are 10-11 with bet365 to win both meetings with Villa this season.

Gerrard's immediate focus is on ending a losing streak that has seen Villa slip to 16th in the Premier League table. They are 5-1 to be relegated, 7-2 to finish in the top half, and 35-1 to make the top six.

Coral offer 33-1 that Villa win the FA Cup, a trophy Gerrard lifted twice as a player in 2001 and 2006, while Hills make the new boss 6-1 to win a Manager of the Month award this season and 8-1 to leave his position before the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Villa finished 11th in the top flight under Smith last season before England international Jack Grealish was sold to Manchester City in the summer.

Their first six fixtures of this season included wins over Newcastle, Everton and Manchester United but Villa have struggled with injuries since then and new signings Danny Ings, Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia are still finding their feet.

Gerrard's former club Rangers are 4-6 to retain their Premiership title, while Celtic are 7-5 to usurp them as champions.

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