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Steven Gerrard and Patrick Viera will clash in the Premier League once more on Saturday, but not how they're used to. Both have gone down in folklore as two of the competition's greatest ever midfielders, but they are now aiming to reach similar heights as managers in the dugout.
Gerrard takes his Aston Villa side to Selhurst Park this weekend, where Patrick Viera's Crystal Palace await.
The ex-Rangers boss enjoyed a positive start to his tenure last time out, overseeing a 2-0 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park.
Meanwhile, Viera has enjoyed a fine start to his reign. The Eagles are unbeaten in their last seven games, albeit with five stalemates, and have lost just two league games this season - to Chelsea and Liverpool.
Saturday's clash is expected to be a tight, hard-fought encounter, with Gerrard going up against a figure he looked up to as a player.
Steven Gerrard and Patrick Viera clash again on Saturday. (Image: GETTY)
In the aftermath of Liverpool's 2-1 win over Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup Final, a 21-year-old Gerrard admitted his admiration for his midfield rival on the day, Viera, describing him as a 'role model' in his early career.
He said: "I learned a lot from the FA Cup Final. I learned that Patrick Vieira is a lot better than me.
"He's a great player. You don't realise how fit he is. He has everything as a player, and he just dictates the pace of the play.
"I try to watch as many Arsenal games as I can because he is exciting to watch.
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If the pair continues to make positive headlines in their respective managerial spells, perhaps a more fitting rematch will take place down the line.
Gerrard will undoubtedly eye the Liverpool job if he is a success in the Midlands, whilst Viera could be a future candidate at Arsenal.
But at this moment in time, both their minds will be firmly placed on progressing their current projects and claiming a significant three points in south London this weekend.