Aston Villa target Mauricio Pochettino has major doubts over possibly succeeding Steven Gerrard after analysing the current squad, Football Insider report on Wednesday.

The Lowdown: Pochettino rumours

Pochettino was first linked with a move to the Midlands at the end of August and again towards the end of September, with The Telegraph revealing on Monday that Villa could make an ‘ambitious attempt to convince Pochettino to step back into management’.

Reports suggest that contact has already been established between Villa and Pochettino’s representatives, with Gerrard’s future thought to be hanging in the balance.

However, it seems as if NSWE may find it extremely difficult to persuade the former Spurs and PSG man to make the move to the Midlands.

The Latest: Pochettino update

FI chief Wayne Veysey provided an update regarding Villa and Pochettino on Wednesday morning. He revealed that the Argentine has major doubts about the job which is far from a ‘done deal'.

The report adds that the manager has ‘misgivings over the players assembled at great expense by Villa’s ambitious American owners in recent years’ and ‘fears they will not be able to adapt to his high-intensity playing style’.

The Verdict: Lifeline for Gerrard?

Villa may well have been laying the groundwork over a move for Pochettino, once labelled as 'outstanding' by Chris Hughton, while Gerrard is still in charge.

Therefore, this setback for NSWE could actually give the current Villa boss a final chance to show the owners that he is the man for the job, starting against Fulham tomorrow evening.

A first away Premier League victory of the season seems to be a must for Gerrard, and coming back from London with three points could allow him to take charge against Brentford on Sunday.