Aston Villa face a battle to keep hold of assistant manager Michael Beale.

The South London Press reports Steven Gerrard could suffer a blow to his Aston Villa plans with Beale, a key member of his coaching staff, a 'contender' for the Charlton Athletic manager job.

Beale, Villa's assistant head coach, followed Gerrard to the Second City from Rangers in November, where several of the coaching staff had helped guide the Ibrox side to the Scottish Premiership title in an unbeaten season last campaign.

Gerrard has been vocal in his admiration of Beale, who he met during his time as a youth coach at Liverpool.

Having spent time in the Addicks' academy before injury ended his playing career at a young age, Beale was previously in the running for the manager vacancy at Charlton in November - and the coach has 'once again emerged as a contender' for the job.