Steven Gerrard sat down with VillaTV for a wide-ranging interview this week.
The Aston Villa head coach had plenty to discuss with Michelle Owen ahead of his first full season in charge of the club.
Here are some of the key lines from his interview…
Gerrard on Diego Carlos...
"He's really looking forward to the challenge. He wanted to come over to the Premier League and challenge himself. From a personal point of view, he felt he was at the right age. He's got fantastic experience.
"From a Club point of view, we felt as if we needed to strengthen our centre-back position and really challenge the other lads that we've got at the Club, so I'm really looking forward to see how they fight for positions.
"I'm delighted to have him here on a long contract, I think he'll help us a lot. We've seen him in one session so far and let's just say it was a strong first training session."
Gerrard on Ashley Young's new deal...
"It was one area of the squad, after analysing it for six months, that we believe we need experience around the squad. We've got a lot of talent emerging, we've got the likes of (Jacob) Ramsey who's grabbed a position in the team and they need people to look up to. They need people who set standards on a daily basis.
"We need to have winners in the building who know what it takes to win big football matches, and Ashley ticks all those boxes. He's as fit as he's ever been. We analyse that side of it with all the data and nothing suggests that he's slowing down.
"It made sense to give Ashley the chance to stay with us for another year and I'm delighted with his decision."
Gerrard on Villa's pre-season tour to Australia...
"Bonding is really important. We never really had a chance, as a group, from a staff and player point of view to really spend time away from football together and get to know each other more. We're going to try and maximise what we can from Australia.
"Commercially for the Club, having not been able to do it for so long, it's very important. At the same time, we have to maximise it from a football point of view and get the best out of the friendly games. Leeds United and Brisbane Roar are going to be good challenges for us.
"We'll front all the commercial stuff in the best way we can, as a staff and as a group of players, but the key for me is can we become closer, can we become stronger off the pitch as a group. That will certainly help us throughout the season as we go through."
Gerrard on the appointment of Neil Critchley...
"I have to respect Michael's (Beale) decision to move onto a new challenge. I always knew, working with Michael, that he was looking over the fence for an opportunity for himself. We were always open and honest. We lose a very good coach and a good person who's been good for me and good for my journey so far.
"The good thing is I've got good relationships in football and I've always known that if that day did come, I've always prepared myself for that moment. For us to react so quickly as a Club, to get the support that I did to go and get Neil Critchley, was really important. I'm glad we've done that."
