Aston Villa: Steven Gerrard 'will sign new captain' at Villa Park

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard ‘will sign a captain’ in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 41-year-old tactician has openly admitted that he is ‘analysing’ the leadership situation within his first-team squad before making any long-term decisions over the role.

Gerrard was quizzed over who would wear the armband going forwards in his first press conference after being announced as Dean Smith’s successor back in November.

“The captaincy is one of the decisions I am going to be analysing moving forward,” said the former Rangers boss.

“I spoke to Tyrone (Mings) on a couple of occasions…he will remain captain in the short term, and he will be given every opportunity to impress us and prove he can be the right man for the job.”

Centre-back Tyrone Mings has remained in the role ever since, but Gerrard has refused to rule out the possibility of signing someone who he knows to fulfil the role next season.

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“I still won’t rule out the option of someone coming in, who I know, who is also capable of being in the running,” he said ahead of the recent clash with Tottenham Hotspur. 

“It is something I am analysing really closely, and I will make a decision during pre-season. Tyrone is in with a really good shout; I’ve been really happy with him. But it’s not the right time, with eight games to go, to pick the long-term captain.”

Jones believes that Gerrard will look to acquire a new leader when the market reopens, although if he’s unable to do so, then he reckons Mings will keep his current status.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think if it’s going to be someone from this team, it’s going to be Mings, I think that stays as it is, but I don’t think