Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Villa Park

Image source, Getty Images

Steven Gerrard versus Frank Lampard.

Wind the clock back a few years and a debate on who is the best midfielder could get quite heated.

But whatever your view there is no doubt both were legendary players and now the two meet as managers for the first time as they look to make their mark in the Premier League from the dugout.

Gerrard made a promising start to his Aston Villa career, winning four of his first six league games, but that form tailed off quite badly towards the end of last season.

Lampard, meanwhile, managed to steer Everton to Premier League survival thanks to a run of four wins in their final nine games.

Both have now had their first full summer at their respective clubs and all eyes will be on how they perform this season.

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Briony Bragg, This Fan Girl, external

Let's start by talking about Gary Neville, who laughs himself at his own managerial efforts in Valencia.

I saw a tweet this weekend that Gerrard's win rate equals his, but Gerrard isn't constantly taking stick from the media or isn't believed to be the first up for the sack either. It's always Lampard, and it's getting pretty boring.

With one of the highest recent net spends in Europe, Villa couldn't even put a decent opening performance in against newly-promoted Bournemouth, and Gerrard's expensive mate from Liverpool was anonymous.

Everton on the other hand, though defeated, suffered through injury against Chelsea - with a gaping hole in front of goal where Dominic Calvert-Lewin should have been. Lampard's progress is clear to see though, with new signing Tarkowski highly impressing.

Lampard has picked a club up who were on the floor last season, incredibly near relegation. He's won the fans' backing. The existing problems on the pitch aren't at his door, they're at the behest of a steady decline at the hands of the boardroom. Toffees can see what he's doing behind closed doors and positivity is beckoning.

Gerrard on the other hand - he better hope his relationship with Villa fans doesn't start to echo that of his former Spanish manager at Everton.

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Richard Sutherland, The Villa Park Podcast, external

Supporters in pubs up and down the country have constantly debated who was the better player and now the debate rages on as to who is the better manager.

For me there is only one winner: Steven Gerrard.

He cut his teeth in management with the Liverpool academy before heading north of the border to Rangers, one of the highest pressure jobs in football. He not only stopped Celtic from winning 10 in a row by claiming the Scottish Premiership title, his team went unbeaten all season.

He steadied a ship at Villa that was only heading one way - down. This season will be hugely different and I truly believe that in Gerrard we have a manager with the potential to become one of the greats.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has been hugely unconvincing. Ultimately, he failed at Derby after being heavily backed. He was extremely lucky to get a huge opportunity at Chelsea which ended in failure following poor signings when their transfer embargo was lifted and now, after scraping to safety last season, sadly, for Lampard and Everton I predict a season of real difficulty, and I don't see him lasting beyond Christmas.

For Gerrard on the other hand, while the pressure will be on at Villa, I have full confidence that he will thrive under it.

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It was a debate that raged for years during their playing days: Who was the better midfielder - Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard?

Now the discussion focuses on their managerial ability and the two meet in opposition dugouts for the first time on Saturday (12:30 BST) as Gerrard's Villa host Lampard's Everton in the Premier League.

The spotlight will be firmly on both for the coming campaign as they look to make their mark, having had their first full pre-seasons at their respective clubs.

Who has the best managerial record so far and who appears best equipped for the coming season? BBC Sport takes a look.

Read more here of Gary Rose's piece here.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Villa Park

Image source, BBC Sport

You can't beat that first home game of the season feeling and there's plenty of feel good vibes around Villa Park today, and the glorious weather certainly helps.

That mood could quickly turn, however, if Villa don't bounce back from their disappointing opening defeat at newly-promoted Bournemouth.

Steven Gerrard's side looked way off it and all the talk around his decision to remove the captaincy from Tyrone Mings and drop him for that game was an unwanted distraction.

Mings is back in the side today, will his return help inspire Villa to a confidence-boosting win and performance?

Sulaimon: I am a big fan of Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins, so excited to see them in the Aston villa XI. Aston villa for the win, last week's defeat to the cherries was a blip.

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says home form is key to a better season this time around.

Villa - who host Everton on Saturday - only won six home Premier League games last season.

He said: "It was inconsistent throughout the six months, and if we are to get to where we want to in the long-term, home form is always going to be key.

"I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere tomorrow. When Villa Park is rocking it’s such a big help. The onus and responsibility is on us as a team to get the fans behind us with a positive start.

"Our home form is something that we want to focus on and improve."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Villa Park

Image source, Getty Images

I spoke to former Everton winger Pat Nevin earlier this week about Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and got his thoughts on what he believes they are like as managers.

"They want teams to be in their own image," he said. "As players they were attack minded but also knew how to defend and that is quite hard.

"At heart, they would love to be fabulously attack-minded managers but because they are both intelligent guys, they know they can’t always do that."

Asmir Begovic
Everton goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Conor Coady is a top player first and foremost. His quality on the pitch speaks for itself and that helps the competition in the team.

When you go further into it his leadership qualities, his voice, his presence on the pitch helps even more. He is a great person to have around the place and in the dressing room.

He will be a really valuable addition to our squad.

Amadou Onana moves to Everton with huge pressure on his shoulders, according to Belgian football journalist Kristof Terreur.

When asked about the transfer, he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast: "It’s a huge thing for a guy who hasn’t played a lot of football yet. He wasn’t a regular at Lille and he wanted guarantees that he will play because he is one of those close to the World Cup squad for Belgium.

"He’s going there with huge expectations but I think it might be a burden for him because everyone sees he was not ready yet for the French league, so we will see how it works out.

"On the other hand he has the ideal profile for the Premier League and I can see why they paid a lot of money. He’s a tall guy, and he’s strong. Some people told me that he reminds them a bit of a young Marouane Fellaini, but he’s better with his feet.

"It’s one that I am really looking forward to seeing because I have some doubts, but you never know how it will work for a player that really fits the profile of the Premier League. He’s always been underestimated in Belgium; he always had to fight against something so maybe again he will prove his doubters wrong."

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New Everton signing Amadou Onana says he has picked the number eight shirt because of basketball legend Kobe Bryant.

Belgium midfielder Onana, 20, has joined the Toffees for £33m from Lille.

The late Bryant wore the number eight for the LA Lakers.

"I think I can play every position in centre midfield, whether that’s as a holding midfielder or a box-to-box as a number eight," Onana told Everton TV.

"I chose the number eight shirt because I am a big fan of Kobe Bryant. His work ethic and the way he was inspired me so I’m happy to have that number at Everton.

"I’m just excited to be on the pitch and show what I can do and help the team as much as I can."

Onana played 40 times for Lille last season after joining from German side Hamburg.

“Blue is my favourite colour, too," he added. "I am going to give everything for the club and our supporters."

Image source, Getty Images

New Everton midfielder Amadou Onana believes his level of ambition matches that of manager Frank Lampard and director of football Kevin Thelwell.

The 20-year-old, capped once so far by Belgium's national team, has completed a £33m move from Lille.

"Everyone here showed me they really want me and have a plan for me," he told the club's website.

"The manager was one of the big reasons. He had a big career, a midfielder too. I can learn very much from him. He played at the highest level, won many things, so I think he can help bring me a lot of things.

"Frank and Kevin Thelwell have lots of ambitions. This is the type of guy I am. It matches. I like the way they showed their interest, it meant a lot to me."

Onana, who has captained Belgium Under-21s, also said he is comfortable taking on responsibility, adding: "I am the type of guy who talks a lot on the pitch and tries to coach my team mates."

If the Everton fans chance their arm at making a chant out of this, it could get messy.

Image source, Getty Images

New Everton signing Conor Coady has revealed his son was "over the moon" to hear his father was going to join the club.

Coady's son trains at Everton's academy and his father said: "I've played football for a long time. I know how big this football club is. I was desperate to come and play for this club. I have family and friends who are Evertonians.

"My son loves Everton. He is over the moon I have been able to sign. I feel privileged and lucky to have been given this opportunity. He was jumping up and down when I told him."

Talk of Coady leaving Wolves - in what would prove to be a loan deal - grew when it was revealed his former manager Bruno Lage wanted to switch from utilising a back three. His new manager Frank Lampard is keen to adopt the system Coady has grown comfortable in.

"I can’t wait for it," Coady told the club's website. "It’s not just it being three at the back. I just want to help. We are here for the club, to make it better. People pigeon hole you because we played a three at Wolves. But I am open to learning every day of my life. I have played in a four for my country and loved every moment of it.

"I think I can help people. I am here to give everything I have got for this club. I will give everything every single day."

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New Everton defender Conor Coady said he got "goosebumps" from speaking to Toffees boss Frank Lampard.

The 29-year-old Liverpudlian moves on a season-long loan from Wolves after 317 appearances for the Black Country side.

“The first conversation I had with him was a little bit surreal," Coady told Everton TV.

“He's one of the greatest English players of all time, one of the greatest midfielders of all time. It's probably one of the best phone calls I've ever had.

“Listening to the way he speaks about Everton, the passion he has for the club and the city and how he wants to improve was just amazing to hear.

“I'll be honest with you, I had goosebumps talking to him.”

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Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard talking to BT Sport: "Tyrone Mings is fully fit. I know I took the captaincy off him but I didn't take the position off him. Hopefully he will be very important for us.

"I always try to be honest and respectful. I inherited the captaincy situation but I wanted it to be my selection. Hopefully it can help Tyrone in the future and he can get back to his best.

"Ollie Watkins is ready, he has had his strongest week since we have been back. Last week we were a bit toothless, so going two up there I am hoping we get more success."

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Taylor
BBC WM

It’s sometimes the case that the value of a player – whether financially or in terms of general appreciation – increases when they don’t play, and that may well have been the case last weekend for Tyrone Mings.

Relieved of the Villa captaincy, Mings was watching from the bench as the team lost limply at Bournemouth.

Steven Gerrard’s comments to BBC Radio WM after the game regarding Mings have already been scrutinised extensively, and it is certainly possible that they might have been rooted in frustration at the result in the minutes afterwards.

However, it is perhaps because Gerrard is usually such an impressive speaker, and precise in his language, that the comments have drawn so much attention.

Mings’ qualities were regularly questioned by a section of the Villa support last season when he was playing, but since Saturday, his leadership has been widely celebrated. One of the odd parts about this little storm is that Gerrard explained that Mings has an injury "niggle", which might easily have been cause enough to leave him on the bench anyway.

"The easy thing to do after a defeat is look at the people who weren’t on the pitch," said Gerrard, making a useful point.

All the Mings fuss has slightly obscured Villa’s actual performance at Bournemouth, which was such a let-down after the excitement generated over the summer.

Villa have plenty of impressive, talented players, but the best combinations still seem to be elusive for Gerrard, as they were for Dean Smith at the start of last season.

How, to give just one example, are they to consistently get the best out of Philippe Coutinho, while also providing opportunities for Emi Buendia? One game is obviously not enough evidence on which to base big conclusions. But, after all the time and mental energy put in by Gerrard and his staff, no wonder there was so much irritation inside and outside the club after Bournemouth that they appear to have not yet cracked the code.

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