Aston Villa captain John McGinn admits it was tough handling the jeers during the period of Steven Gerrard's sacking.

McGinn has since finished the season superbly under Unai Emery, but was made a scapegoat for Gerrard and Villa's struggles earlier in the term.

He was dropped by caretaker coach Aaron Dank and recalled to the Telegraph: "That was the most challenging part of my career.

"It was slightly embarrassing, especially when the manager was sacked and it was the first thing that happened after that.

"I wasn't naive to think I was playing well. I was probably trying too hard to find the answers. The criticism the manager was getting, the criticism everyone was getting. I was trying my best to put it right.

"My dad didn't go back to the away games for four or five weeks. I kept my head down and didn't get too upset but it did hurt and my ego did take a bit of a dent. It's then about proving those people wrong and thankfully I've managed to do that."