Steven Gerrard will decide on long-term Aston Villa captain in summer

Steven Gerrard is still deliberating over who will be his long-term Aston Villa captain and has not ruled out the prospect of signing a new leader to wear the armband as part of his summer recruitment drive.

Gerrard said the current skipper, Tyrone Mings, is a strong candidate but that he will make a decision before the start of the next season. The 29-year-old England defender has captained Villa this season but Gerrard is keen to add leaders to his squad in the summer. Gerrard is also thought to be keen on signing a defensive midfielder, as well as a striker. The Villa manager said he has been open with Mings about his thoughts on the situation.

“I think it is always important to get in among the group and see what they are like, every minute of every day, see who is the glue in the team, see who leads in the right way, see who leads through adversity, not just when the sun is shining, see who is prepared to go above and beyond and sets the right standard on a daily basis,” Gerrard said.

“We are still working that out. I still won’t rule out the option of someone coming in, who I know, who is also capable of being in the running. It is something I am analysing really closely now and I will make a decision some time during pre-season.”

Asked whether he needed to broach the subject carefully with Mings, Gerrard replied: “Not at all. Ty was really appreciative of having the opportunity to continue with the armband. I made it clear to him first before we put it public that it was what we were going to do. Ty 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 of Aston Villa.”

Villa host Tottenham on Saturday hoping to end a run