Report: Steven Gerrard not happy with options in one position, wants reinforcements at Aston Villa before Arsenal match

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Steven Gerrard wants a new centre-back at Aston Villa before their trip to the Emirates on Wednesday, according to The Athletic.

Aston Villa have struggled this season, and currently sit a point above the relegation zone after four games.

They fell to another defeat on Sunday to West Ham, who hadn’t scored a goal before visiting Villa Park.

One aspect of Villa’s team that Gerrard needs to sort quickly is his central defensive pairing.

In his side’s five competitive matches across all competitions, he’s used a different combination in every one.

And according to the Athletic, Gerrard wants to use a sixth different pairing on Wednesday against Arsenal, with a new defender coming in to bolster their back line.

Gerrard wants a new centre-back

The defender most closely linked with a move to the West Midlands is Southampton’s Jan Bednarek.

The 26-year-old Polish international started the Saints first two league games, but has missed their most recent matches.

Ralph Hassenhuttl started Mohammed Salisu alongside new signing Armel Bella-Kotchap in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.

The Pole would provide Gerrard with another experienced option in defence.

Villa have also been linked with a move for Jason Denayer, but Bednarek now appears to be the front runner to move to Villa Park.

Losing Diego Carlos to injury so early in the campaign is a massive blow to Aston Villa, and is one of the key reasons Gerrard still wants another centre-back.

Tyrone Mings – originally dropped from the side after losing the captaincy – also didn’t feature against West Ham due to illness.

The former Rangers manager doesn’t appear to be convinced by the pairing of Calum Chambers and Ezri Konsa.

Both of these defenders have performed well in the past at Premier League level, but Gerrard doesn’t appear to trust them in the long-term.

The transfer window shuts in just a matter of days, and if Gerrard wants a new centre-back, the club are going to have to move quickly to make it happen.