Steven Gerrard heaped praise on his players after they picked up a third straight Premier League win in style against Leeds United on Thursday night.
Goals from Philippe Coutinho, Matty Cash and Calum Chambers saw the visiting Villans ease to a 3-0 victory at Elland Road.
Emi Martinez’s goal was rarely threatened as he registered a third clean sheet in as many games, topping off a positive night for his head coach.
Gerrard said: “The players were magnificent tonight, they carried out our game plan extremely well.
“Everything we planned to do in and out of possession came off tonight. We’ve scored three fantastic goals with another clean sheet.
“I’m told that it’s the first time in 12 years we’ve kept three clean sheets on the bounce in three Premier League wins, so that’s a pleasing stat. The players deserve a lot of credit for that.”
Chambers’ goal was his first for the club and underscored the impact he’s made since joining from Arsenal in January.
“He’s been class, on and off the pitch,” Gerrard said.
“He’s been a real pleasure to work with. I thought that was the knockout blow tonight, to get the third goal in the way that we did it.
“That was the knockout blow and from that moment it was about keeping a clean sheet and everyone defensively getting their buzz out of it as well because everyone’s responsible for scoring goals and everyone’s got to be responsible for keeping the ball out as well.”
Nine goals have been scored and none conceded in Villa’s three straight wins, and Gerrard takes them to West Ham on Sunday full of confidence.
He said: “West Ham are above us in the league, they’re a long-term target for us to try and replicate what they’ve done in the league for the last few years which is push for a European spot.
“We’ll respect the challenge at the weekend, but we’re going there in a good place.
“The players just need to remain calm, less talking and more action, and let’s see where it takes us.”
