Aston Villa are coming off the back of an unbeaten pre-season under Gerrard’s stewardship that included wins over Leeds United, Brisbane Roar and Rennes.
After a productive transfer window thus far, Keys believes the onus is on the Villans to push on and challenge for a place in the top six.
He also added that Aston Villa have spent enough to be able to shake up the natural order in the Premier League, going as far as to say that Gerrard will have failed if they do not do so.
“Villa have got to make a statement”, Keys wrote on his personal blog.
“It’s them [Villa] and Newcastle that should be shaking up the natural order of things.
“They spent big again in the summer and Gerrard will have failed if they’re not challenging for a place in the top six.”
Aston Villa finished the 2021/22 season in 14th place in the Premier League table and came close to changing the eventual destination of the trophy on the final matchday.
The Villans will kick off their league campaign against newly-promoted Bournemouth on the south coast on Saturday.
