Aston Villa captain John McGinn regrets not working with manager Unai Emery sooner in his career.

McGinn says the Spaniard has transformed his game this season.

“He has probably transformed me as a player; taken me to a level that I probably didn't think I was capable of; made me adapt in so many ways I probably didn't think I was capable of," McGinn told The Telegraph. “He is so intense, so passionate about football, so detailed. He just wants to improve every single player.

“Tyrone [Mings] talks about it as well – he's 30, I am 28 – and we regret not having a different style of coaching earlier. We are used to British ex-pro managers who are all brought up the same way and this style, the Spanish way, is something I really enjoy.

“The best thing for me is that he [Emery] judged with his own eyes. There was a lot of noise from outside – 'he [McGinn] can't lead, he can't be the captain'. I am not a huge speaker. I feel I have a lot of respect in the dressing room but I am not going to be a Conor Coady or Jordan Henderson. I try and lead by the way that I play. The perception was pretty easy for me to see: because I wasn't playing well, therefore I was not leading. Now I am playing well I am all of a sudden an OK captain. I feel that perception is normal but I have grown into the role and am enjoying the responsibility."