Tyrone Mings has admitted he had a 'very difficult start to the season' after losing captaincy and his place in the first team at Aston Villa under former boss Steven Gerrard.
The defender, who has been a stalwart for Villa since their return to the Premier League in 2019, lost his place on the opening day of the season and was stripped of the armband, which was handed to midfield team-mate John McGinn.
Mings has since reclaimed his spot in the starting 11, thanks in part to Diego Carlos' long-term injury, and is in good form ahead of the World Cup break.