Aston Villa captain John McGinn says the players let Steven Gerrard down before last night's sacking.

Gerrard was dismissed after the 3-0 defeat at Fulham, leaving Villa above the dropzone on goal difference.

McGinn said at the final whistle: "It's embarrassing to be part of. We've let the travelling fans down, the manager down. It's a bad night for us.

"It doesn't matter who's in charge of that team. It's nothing to do with the manager - the players have to look at themselves in the mirror. We've definitely not lost faith in [the manager] - it's us who are responsible.

"He's a top manager, he's hurting just as the players are. We've let him down tonight. It's up to us now to put in a performance for him."

Villa fans sang various anti-Gerrard chants during the game at Craven Cottage.

McGinn added: "I understand the fans' frustration. There can be a nasty side to those shouts. The support are very demanding so I can understand the frustration. You're playing at a top level and if you're not performing, you get criticised."

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers managed Gerrard at Liverpool and said in reaction: "I'm bitterly disappointed for Steven, he did a fantastic job at Rangers and the ambitions at Villa, I assume, are to be challenging for Europe.

"It seems every day a manager loses his job or their job is under threat. I think stability and patience seems to be running out.

"I believe with time and patience he could have got to where that football club wants to go."

Gerrard leaves Villa less than a year into his appointment.