Steven Gerrard couldn’t have made a better start to life in the Premier League as manager of Aston Villa. Fans and pundits alike were a little skeptical about Villa’s decision to appoint Gerrard but although these are early days, he has made a flying start to life in the Premier League.

Gerrard’s Villa made a trip to Selhurst Park for a tricky fixture against Crystal Palace, who had been unbeaten at home this season. Palace too are managed by a Premier League great in Patrick Viera, who had many a battle in midfield with Gerrard in their playing days in what seems like ages ago.

Goals from Matt Targett and John McGinn moved Villa up to 11th spot, level with 10th-placed Palace who got a consolation through Marc Guehi in added time, on 16 points. Gerrard courtesy of this win also became the first Villa boss in 23 years to win his first two Premier League games.

Villa took advantage of Palace's vulnerability on set-pieces when Ashley Young's corner in the 15th minute was delivered deep into the box, where Matt Targett controlled the ball and shot low through the crowd to score. Targett's opener was his first Premier League goal in over two years and only his third in the top flight.

The return of Eberechi Eze after nearly six months out with a knee injury raised the atmosphere inside Selhurst Park, this along with the goal was probably the only joy that the Palace fans got in the entirety of the match.

It’s fair to say that if Gerrard’s Villa continue to play like this it wouldn’t be long before they climb into the top half of the table, but with a tricky game against Pep’s Man City next, Gerrard’s true mettle as a manager is set to be tested.