Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says Steve Cooper deserves more time at Nottingham Forest.

Villa go to the City Ground on Monday night.

Gerrard said, "I wouldn't want to be in that position. To bring in 23 players in one window is unique. I have never seen it or heard of it before

"I know at Villa they had a window where they had a lot of loan players and they had to replace them. I understand that and I'm sure Steve was in that position because he had a lot of loan players.

“They recruited really well and signed a lot of good players. From where I am, to think about how you'd deal with that and manage that, it would be extremely tough and challenging.

“I think he (Steve Cooper) deserves the time for that to settle, for them to get used to the club and how Steve plays. It takes time when you make one or two changes never mind 23."