Aston Villa under Steven Gerrard’s management has not had a good start to the season.

The team now languishes at 15th in the English Premier League (EPL).

Gerrard has yet to decide his best formation and has fiddled around with a number of formations but without the requisite results.

Jamaica’s Leon Bailey signed up with Villa last year and was expected to be a leading light in the English league. He was fantastic at Leverkusen and was all set to transfer that good form to England.

Last season, he played 18 times, putting in memorable performances before succumbing to injuries.

Now that he is back, Gerrad seems unable to get the best out of him. One minute he opts for a diamond system then the next three at top. It is confusing and leaves Bailey in no man’s land. He has spent too much time languishing on the bench.

Bailey has demonstrated repeatedly what he can contribute to Aston Villa and should be a major point of the team’s attacking force.

There is talk he wants to leave Aston Villa and join Ajax. You can’t blame him. He may well blossom with the Dutch giant, linking with the likes of Steven Bergwijn.

If Villa are to progress, Gerrard must unlock the potent talents of Bailey and Philippe Coutinho.

Gerrard has a lot to do, having lost nine of the last 15 league matches and three of four this season.

It is not about to get easier for him with Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester coming up next.

There are those now saying the former Liverpool midfield legend is out of his depth and lacks tactical awareness. It may be a bit too early to dismiss him but, if Aston Villa finds itself below 15 in the table come Christmas, the alarm bells will be ringing – loudly!

Dean Smith was not afforded the latitude Gerrard has been given. Being a top player doesn’t guarantee one has what it takes to be a good manager.

Both Gerrard and Frank Lampard appear to be in the same position as they struggle with managing their respective clubs.

Pundits are asking is Gerrard is the man for Aston Villa. He did a good job at Rangers in Scotland but the EPL is a far bigger challenge.

Bailey is a precocious talent who Gerrard would do well to extract the best from. He can’t be spending the season warming the bench.

Gerrard must now display man management skills.

He needs results and he needs them quickly. Time is running out.