Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is happy with the first days of new captain John McGinn.

The Scottish midfielder succeeds Tyrone Mings who had been Villa skipper at the club when Gerrard was appointed manager last November.

"I think it's been really smooth," the 42-year-old said.

"And that's been a credit to Tyrone. I spoke to Tyrone first before I spoke to anyone else, face-to-face, and I gave him my reasons to why - some of them will remain private which is fair.

"But I inherited Tyrone as captain when I took this job in November, but I always wanted to name a full-time captain and I wanted that captain to be my captain and my decision."

The former England midfielder chose McGinn, who joined Villa from Hibernian in 2018, down to how respected he is at the club and is someone who Gerrard says is his kind of player.

"I analysed the group really closely, on and off the pitch, and I really happy and content with my decision that I went with John McGinn.'

"I think he's universally respected, he's been round the club for a long time and the fans adore him. Everyone around Bodymore and around Villa Park has major respect for John and his peers have.

"He plays with consistency, he's my type of player, and they a few reasons why I've decided to go with John."

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