Steven Gerrard: Bukayo Saka 'will have to learn to toughen up' after Arsenal forward asked for more protection

During the victory over Villa, the winger asked for more protection, and Steven Gerrard warned him to toughen up.

After scoring the only goal in the victory at Villa Park, Saka spoke to Andrew Madley about the treatment he was getting from the Villa players.

I wanted to let the ref know that I need more protection when players try to kick me, and that I run at players with pace, so I wasn't complaining to the ref.

The England man earned numerous free-kicks and was taken out of the game with 20 minutes to go after being booked for catching Saka late.

The Villa boss said that it was part of the game. It is not a no-contact sport. I think tackles are allowed.

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He is an outstanding talent and I love him. He can not complain about that side. That is football.

I have had about 16 operations and I am struggling to go to the gym at the moment. It all depends on earning a living in English football. He will learn and he will learn quickly.

The same question was asked by Mikel Arteta, who said we have to listen to the players. They are the reason why we are here.

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The victory moved the north London club four points clear of Manchester United in the race to qualify for the group stage of the competition.

We have 10 games to go and what we did yesterday or today is not relevant.

We have to score the second and third one when we are so dominant.

Villa did not have a shot until the hour mark and did not test Leno until injury time.

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He wants to see his players being bolder against the top teams, saying that they need to put in 90-minute performances as a start.

You cannot wait to go behind against these teams. There have been too many occasions. It is almost like they are waiting for something to happen in a game or for me to get into them for that reaction.

We need to be more positive from the beginning. We will have a better chance of taking points from teams above us.

We need time and it is a process before we can really take the fight and challenge to them. You have to want to grab it.