STEVEN GERRARD admits he left Rangers with a 'heavy heart' after clinching a deal to return to the Premier League with Aston Villa.

The former Ibrox boss has succeeded Dean Smith at Villa Park and will take charge of his first match at home to Brighton this weekend.

Gerrard quit the champions just months after leading his side to a historic 55th Premiership title.

He takes over in the Midlands with Villa sitting just outside the relegation zone as he gave up the chance to challenge for silverware at Ibrox.

The Liverpool legend will return to Anfield in a couple of weeks as he faces his former side as a manager for the first time.

And Gerrard insists the Villa chance was too good to turn down as he returned south of the border following a successful spell in Glasgow.

Gerrard said: “I think first and foremost it is an extremely for myself from a personal point of view. It is a real honour to be the Head Coach and manager of this football club.

“Although the last seven to ten days have gone extremely quick, it has been a real happy time for me because the opportunity to be back in the Premier League, the opportunity to be back closer to my family were the two main reasons why this was the right move for me.

“It was a difficult decision [to leave Rangers]. I certainly left with a heavy heart.

“I built up some fantastic relationships up at Rangers. It is a club that I have got immense respect for.

“I was given a remit three-and-a-half years ago up at Rangers and we went on a journey. We completed that remit.

“Approximately ten days ago, the opportunity came up to join another iconic club and I think it is important to make sure that this press conference is about Aston Villa. It was an opportunity that I couldn’t let pass me by.

“I think success in football is always about winning football matches. First and foremost.

“Long term, I think the club would like to be back on a European level. I don’t think it is the right time now to put any specific date on that.

“For me, more importantly, it is about focusing on the short term, which is Brighton at the weekend. We need to start winning football matches again and moving up the table, so that is the short term goal.

“In terms of Liverpool, I don’t think this club should be about any club other than Aston Villa. You have to show respect to our supporters.

“I think everyone knows around the world what Liverpool means to me but the focus and my commitment is very much on Aston Villa.

“I said last week in a one-to-one that I am all in and I can promise our supporters that is the case.”