Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has admitted he was 'surprised and shocked' ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez took on the Everton job but has sympathy for his friend after his sacking.
Everton sacked Benitez last weekend after less than seven months in charge and will have Duncan Ferguson in caretaker charge when they host Villa on Saturday.
Gerrard played under Benitez for six years at Liverpool, winning the Champions League in 2005, and was surprised his former boss wanted to manage Everton in the first place.
He said: 'I'm disappointed for Rafa because I've got a relationship with him and an awful lot of respect for him.