Some Aston Villa fans fuming over what the club did on Thursday morning

A number of Aston Villa fans have criticised the club for charging supporters to watch Steven Gerrard’s first press conference live.

The Premier League outfit announced Gerrard as their new manager last week, bringing him to Villa Park from Rangers.

On Thursday morning, ahead of Villa’s Premier League weekend meeting with Brighton, Gerrard spoke to the media.

Steven Gerrard Aston Villa Press Conference — Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

The press conference was shown live on VillaTV+, which hosts premium Villa content and costs £1.99 a month.

However, some Villa fans weren’t happy with the principle of having to watch their new manager’s first press conference – a big occasion – as it happened.

Here’s what some Villa supporters said on social media:

Absolute shocker trying to squeeze a few quid out of fans already paying for shirts and tickets. Especially with the way things are in the economy at the moment. Shameful.
— Paul McCabe (@plumpaul1) November 18, 2021

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Imagine charging your fans for a press conference that will be public to everyone in a few hours, doesn’t matter that it’s only £2, extremely poor form from a club that should be trying to win its fans back
— Bigzy (@Bigzy4444) November 18, 2021

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Disgrace I thought Aston Villa was the fans club not just those who are prepared to pay for it, supported villa for 54 yrs isn’t that payment enough
— mak (@chimaira1967) November 18, 2021

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Bad form putting this behind a paywall
— Danny H (@danielhavfc) November 18, 2021

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No it’s a joke
— joe (@avfc_jf) November 18, 2021

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Shouldn’t have to pay to watch this. Disgraceful
— steve (@SMGBirmingham) November 18, 2021

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Honestly charging us fans to watch our new manager be unveiled is an absolute joke Villa. Sort it out
— hj.at6 (@hj_at6) November 18, 2021

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This is a huge thing for the club and you’ve stuck it behind a paywall
— Ryan (@RJBrayshaw) November 18, 2021

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Villa later uploaded the full press conference on their website for free.

“It’s an extremely proud moment, it’s a real honour to be the Head Coach of this football club.” 🙌

Watch Steven Gerrard's first press conference as Head Coach of Aston Villa in full. 🗣️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 18, 2021

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But some fans were still not impressed:

Didn’t need to pay then pic.twitter.com/Buv4MnXe07
— Olly (@_AVFCOlly) November 18, 2021

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I’ve just paid £2 a month to watch it for free later? It’s only £2 but what’s the point?!
— Warren (@warrenavfc) November 18, 2021

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Making us pay to watch… WTF
— Anthony W 💙 (@Anthony38696111) November 18, 2021

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4 hours later for free 😂
— Ben (@BenAvfc94) November 18, 2021

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Villa have lost their last five league fixtures and went into the November international break 16th in the table, just two points above the drop zone.

Their last victory came on 25 September, when they ran out 1-0 winners over Manchester United.

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‘Absolute joke’: Some Aston Villa fans fuming over what the club did on Thursday morning

Here’s what some Villa supporters said on social media:

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‘Absolute joke’: Some Aston Villa fans fuming over what the club did on Thursday morning

Here’s what some Villa supporters said on social media: