Gerrard targets 29 year-old in January raid on former club

Steven Gerrard got off to the perfect start as Aston Villa boss with a 2-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.

Second half goals from Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings handed the Villans’ new boss a winning start and ended the club’s five-match losing run.

Gerrard, who left Rangers to replace Dean Smith earlier this month, will have his sights set on securing more victories to take the Midlands side further up the Premier League table.

And in order to help achieve that, it’s reported that the Liverpool and England legend is targeting a raid on his former club in the January transfer window.

According to The Daily Record, the 41-year-old is interested in bringing Rangers full-back Borna Barisic to Villa Park.

Barisic is reportedly on Villa’s January shopping list.

The Croatia international was a regular under Gerrard at Ibrox, playing 33 league games as the club won the Scottish Premiership last season.

But it seems that his spell with the Gers could potentially come to an end after three-and-a-half years as it’s claimed that Villa are preparing an £8million move for the 29-year-old.

Since joining Rangers from Osijek, Barisic has made 125 appearances for the club in all competitions.