Danny Murphy says Steven Gerrard will join Aston Villa convinced they can qualify for the Champions League.

Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy wrote for the Daily Mail: "I didn't think he would go there when the vacancy came up. Having visited him at home last year to interview him for this newspaper, I know how emotionally involved he was in Glasgow.

"The easiest decision would have been to stay at Ibrox, win plenty of trophies and gain Champions League experience, which would make him a leading candidate if the Liverpool job became vacant.

"Villa is a far harder challenge because of the competition in the Premier League. So many clubs have world-class managers, super-wealthy owners, or both. By taking on the challenge, by taking a risk, Stevie has reminded me of what a confident and driven person he is.

"I probably under-estimated that self-belief.

"Yes, he could win trophies and reach the Champions League with Rangers but he'll be aiming for the same at Villa. It will be a slower process. The first task is to tighten up at the back and stop a run of five straight defeats, but he would not have gone if he didn't think he had a chance of being competitive.

"The owners I am certain will have given him assurances about signing players and he will have a staunch ally in CEO Christian Purslow, who worked with him at Liverpool."