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“If you look at how we performed at the weekend I wanted to build on that but got the opposite. We were second best in the first half and were lucky to still be in the game,” Gerrard said.

And Agbonlahor, Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, said that although he was desperate for Gerrard to be a success at Villa Park, he concedes that the owners were left with little option but to show him the door after a “shambles” of a performance.

Conte’s side only managed two shots on target and struggled to deal with United’s press.

The travelling fans vented their fury at the end of a seventh winless game with some even chanting former manager Marcelo Bielsa’s name, forcing Marsch to defend himself.

A move for Gakpo was considered if they were unable to sign Antony from Ajax. United ended up going all in to sign the latter as the deal for him could end up being worth around £85m.

Arsenal‘s inexperience was exposed at the end of last season as they narrowly missed out on a spot in the Champions League.

Villa’s situation was made more difficult when Douglas Luiz was sent off with half an hour to go for a headbutt on Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Leeds were far from their best and they were unable to find their way back into the game. 

Gerrard led Villa to a 14th place finish last term but had been expected to push the Midlands club higher up the table in the new campaign.

The forward has been a bit-part player this season and he started on the bench against Tottenham on Wednesday night.