Brad Friedel has warned Steven Gerrard not to use Aston Villa as a vehicle to become Liverpool boss at some stage in the future.
Gerrard left Scottish champions Rangers to sign a three-and-a-half year deal with Villa, just days after Dean Smith was relieved of his duties following five successive Premier League defeats.
Many fans and pundits believe the 41-year-old has taken the job with the Midlands club in order to better his chances of eventually taking the reins of his beloved Liverpool.
However, former Reds keeper Friedel is adamant that Villa have the potential under Gerrard to compete in the upper echelons of the Premier League.
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"I don’t think it’s right to think of Aston Villa as a stepping stone as such. Right now, where the two clubs sit, you may consider it a stepping stone, however, Villa has resources," he told Genting Casino.
"If Stevie can solidify and bring in some really good signings and get the ownership to back him, you have a club the size of Villa that can rival the Premier League’s biggest teams once financially backed.
"Historically, Liverpool is the bigger club, but you can’t take anything away from Aston Villa.
"Would Stevie ever want to manage his beloved Liverpool? Of course he would, but you couldn’t say that Villa is a stepping stone because they are so much bigger than that.
"He needs to solidify the club’s position in the Premier League this season and get them mid-tableish. Then go for it next season.
"Get the players out that he doesn’t fancy, bring in the players that he wants and then see far you can take them. If the owners can see progress, they have the resources to back him.
"All you need to do is look at Leicester. Could he build something that is really competitive? Absolutely.
"The club is waiting for it. The club is positioned really nicely for it and I hope, on a personal level, that someone like Stevie can take them there.
"It would be outstanding because he is an outstanding football guy and a really good person to take over the club. When I heard the news being an ex-Villa player and an ex-Liverpool player and knowing Stevie, I was delighted."
