Steven Gerrard STRIPS Tyrone Mings of the Aston Villa captaincy, and names John McGinn instead

Steven Gerrard has stripped England defender Tyrone Mings of the Aston Villa captaincy and installed John McGinn in his place.

The Villa boss had hinted strongly at a change throughout last season when he would confirm Mings only as his ‘short-term’ captain, and he has now promoted McGinn, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as vice-captain and Ashley Young as club captain.

Gerrard said: ‘Naturally, I have had to have a discussion with Tyrone Mings and have explained my reasons for making this decision.

‘More importantly, I believe that not having the responsibility of the captaincy will allow Tyrone to focus more on his own game which can only benefit him and the team.’

John McGinn has been named as Aston Villa’s captain this season by manager Steven Gerrard

Gerrard was full of praise for McGinn from early in his reign and it is no surprise to see the Scot become skipper. 

Mings, 29, was given the job by former boss Dean Smith but Gerrard never appeared utterly convinced by that decision. 

He has two years remaining on his contract at Villa Park and faces a fight to retain an automatic starting spot, with summer signing Diego Carlos joining Mings, Ezri Konsa and Calum Chambers in the centre-back positions. 

Gerrard chose McGinn as his new captain after the club’s recent pre-season tour of Australia

Gerrard is thought to have settled on appointing McGinn during the recent pre-season tour of Australia.

He added: ‘John has demonstrated that he is ready to take on the captaincy through his performances on the pitch combined with his attitude and application in training.’

‘He is a popular member of the dressing room who sets high standards and expectations of himself.

‘Emi is a respected senior member of the squad while Ashley Young’s experience speaks for itself and he is the perfect ambassador for the first team.’

Gerrard believes taking the armband from Tyrone Mings will let him ‘focus more on his game’