Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn will begin the Premier League restart in a new position.

Dean Smith has given him free rein to play a more advanced role – and McGinn says the position is as important defensively as it is attacking-wise.

He said: “Jamie (Vardy) has made a career out of being the complete opposite from a lot of Premier League No.9s – that's just being an absolute nuisance. If I can do that in a different position hopefully I can be as successful as he has been.

“I respected Vardy as a player but it wasn't until I actually came down here I realised how annoying he was to play against.

“No one likes that and he's managed to progress the way he has and keep doing it at such a high level. I know it's a different position but if I can be as much of a nuisance, that's what I take from his game.

“If you're a nuisance then no matter who you are playing you will give them a hard game.

“I didn't think when I came down that I was going to use things like that – but when you have the opportunity to play against players who have been so successful then you need to learn from them."