Steven Gerrard has explained how he believes Aston Villa captain John McGinn has been 'trying a little bit too hard'.

The Scotland international replaced Tyrone Mings as Villa captain on the eve of the season.

McGinn has been taken off in each of Villa's last four encounters.

"He hasn't changed and I haven't expected him to change," Gerrard told BirminghamLive. "I think he's maybe been trying too hard, if you like, which we thought would happen.

"He's had the captaincy individually on a few occasions and we felt his performances were that he was trying too desperately. That's not a fault, that's John McGinn. I think that's a real positive about him but it'll take time."