Steven Gerrard has praised opposite number Frank Lampard's competitive nature ahead of their first managerial showdown on Saturday.
Gerrard's Aston Villa take on Lampard's Everton at 12.30pm on Saturday at Villa Park, and the former Liverpool captain has lauded the ex-Chelsea midfielder as a 'fierce competitor'.
Having now both found success as managers, the pair were widely regarded as two of the best midfielders in the world throughout their playing careers, and perhaps two of the finest talents England has ever produced.
Speaking in their respective pre-match press conferences, both were full of praise for their counterpart, Lampard lauding his opponent's achievements with Scottish giants Rangers, saying: 'I know that Stevie's a hard worker so I'm just delighted for him that he's done so well at Rangers and now at a club with the quality of Aston Villa.