---
title: "Aston Villa: Roberto Martinez alternative to Steven Gerrard"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-roberto-martinez-alternative-to-steven-gerrard/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2021-11-10T12:05:05Z"
modified: "2021-11-10T12:05:05Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Roberto Martinez alternative to Steven Gerrard

**Aston Villa are set to approach Rangers over a move for Steven Gerrard, with, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez a realistic alternative, according to [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/11/09/steven-gerrard-interested-aston-villa-job-club-set-make-official/).**

### The Lowdown: Martinez’s upcoming UK trip

Martinez, who has been in charge of The Red Devils since [2016](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roberto-martinez/profil/trainer/4328), is under contract with the national side until [2022](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roberto-martinez/profil/trainer/4328).

The 48-year-old is due in the UK [next week](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/roberto-martinez-aston-villa-manager-22099337) with his Belgium side due to take on Wales in a World Cup qualifier.

[Sources](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/roberto-martinez-aston-villa-manager-22099337) have suggested that Martinez is keen to return to the Premier League, with the boss, labelled as [‘outstanding’](https://www.footballinsider247.com/martinez-the-outstanding-candidate-for-newcastle-job-as-appointment-expected-soon-pundit/) by Alex McLeish in October, recently [linked](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/16488503/roberto-martinez-newcastle-manager-graeme-jones/) with the Newcastle United position before Eddie Howe’s appointment.

\[freshpress-poll id=”379515″\]

### The Latest: Percy’s claim

John Percy shared a story on [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/11/09/steven-gerrard-interested-aston-villa-job-club-set-make-official/) on Tuesday evening, suggesting Villa were set to launch an official move for Gerrard, who is keen to replace Dean Smith in the Midlands.

Within the story, they suggested that Martinez is thought to be a ‘realistic alternative’, should a move for Gerrard fall through.

### The Verdict: A risky alternative?

Martinez has worked with some of the best players in the world during his time with Belgium, including the likes of three-time Premier League winner [Kevin De Bruyne](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kevin-de-bruyne/erfolge/spieler/88755) and Chelsea goal-machine [Romelu Lukaku](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/romelu-lukaku/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/96341), however, he has failed to reach a major tournament final, taking them to a [2018 World Cup semi-final](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44692297) and a [Euro 2020 quarter-final](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51198657).

He does have plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, [265](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roberto-martinez/leistungsdatenLigenNational/trainer/4328) games in fact, with his last position in England coming with Everton following time with Wigan Athletic.

However, he’s won just [81](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roberto-martinez/leistungsdatenLigenNational/trainer/4328) of those, averaging just [1.21](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roberto-martinez/leistungsdatenLigenNational/trainer/4328) points per game in England’s top division.

On that basis, Villa may well be better off looking at other alternatives to Gerrard instead of placing a boss who hasn’t exactly set the league alight during his previous stints in England on their list of contingency plans.

***In other news: [Reps of 9-honour boss now contact Villa in late-night update; Ranieri called him ‘intelligent’.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/fonseca-agent-contact-aston-villa/)***