Aston Villa can reach Europe, no obsession about Liverpool - Gerrard

boss Steven Gerrard believes the team needs to compete at European level and he will not focus on facing

in December.

Following the dismissal of Dean Smith from Aston Villa, Steven Gerrard left the

for his first coaching experience in the Premier League. He was previously successful with the Rangers in the Scottish League and now has a high motivation to return to the Premier League, this time as head coach. He wants to bring Aston Villa back to European competition and raise the level of the team.

He said:

"Success in football is always about winning football matches first and foremost. Long-term I think the club would like to be back on a European level.

"I don't think it's the right time now to put any specific date on that but for me more importantly it's about focusing on the short-term which is Brighton at the weekend, we need to start winning football matches again and moving up the table.

"We've got a challenging game at the weekend so I don't really want to look too far ahead of that, but with the players we have got in the squad, we should be higher than where we are.

"So it's one step at a time and we need that win as soon as possible."

Asked about their match against Liverpool in December, Gerrard said:

"In terms of Liverpool, again I don't think this press conference should be about any other club but Aston Villa, I think we have to show respect to our supporters.

"I think everyone knows all around the world what Liverpool means to me but my focus is very much on Aston Villa. I've said that I am all-in and I can promise our supporters that that's the case.

"I think first and foremost it's an extremely proud moment from a personal point of you, it's a real honour to be the manager of this football club."

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