Steven Gerrard has named John McGinn as Aston Villa captain for the new Premier League season and in doing so has stripped Tyrone Mings of the armband. Scotland international McGinn will wear will wear the captain’s armband with great pride, while goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been named vice-captain and Ashley Young will assume the role of club captain. It leaves no official leadership role for Mings after he took over the role of captain following Jack Grealish’s departure from the club last summer.
Steven Gerrard said: “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. 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.”
