Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard announced on Wednesday that Scotland midfielder John McGinn will serve as first-team captain for the 2022/23 season.
McGinn succeeds Tyrone Mings, who was appointed captain by former manager Dean Smith last summer.
Gerrard also announced that keeper Emi Martinez will serve as vice captain, a role McGinn held for the 2021/22 campaign. Ashley Young will act as club captain.
Gerrard said of McGinn: “John has demonstrated that he is ready to take on the captaincy through his performances on the pitch combined with his attitude and application in training.
“He is a popular member of the dressing room who sets high standards and expectations of himself.”
Now 27 years old, McGinn enters his fifth season with Villa and has featured 148 times across all competitions. He boasts 48 Scotland caps and has been the SFWA International Player of the Year the previous three years.
For me this isn’t about John or I, it’s about what’s right for Aston Villa. I have no issues with the managers decision; I’ve loved leading this team. Anyone who knows @jmcginn7 knows how infectious he is and it will be an honour to play underneath his captaincy 🙏🏽💜 https://t.co/HwRawnf1ih
— Tyrone Mings (@TyroneMings) July 27, 2022
Mings took to Twitter on Wednesday to congratulate McGinn, saying “I have no issues with the managers decision; I’ve loved leading this team. Anyone who knows knows how infectious he is and it will be an honour to play underneath his captaincy.”
Gerrard said of the change: ““Naturally, I have had to have a discussion with Tyrone Mings and have explained my reasons for making this decision. More importantly, I believe that not having the responsibility of the captaincy will allow Tyrone to focus more on his own game which can only benefit him and the team.”
McGinn and Villa open the 2022/23 season at Bournemouth on August 6.
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