Skipper John McGinn believes Aston Villa are proving the critics wrong following their summer rebuild.

Villa face Barcelona at the Nou Camp with a 100% record in the Champions League this season after three wins.

They are second in the league-phase table, behind defending champions Paris St-Germain on goals scored.

Villa, ninth in the Premier League, have won seven of their past 11 games after failing to win their opening four.

It comes after a summer of change following six key departures and a raft of new players, with McGinn praising the new-look squad.

"It's going slight better than what some people envisaged," he said. "I have to give credit to the new players - a lot of change and a lot of information, and they have adapted well.

"They realise the structure we've built gives players the best possible chance to show their capacity.

"The new players are taking a lot on board and we're starting to gel. It's exciting and we have a demanding manager who will not let us stop and be comfortable."

La Liga leaders Barca have scored 56 goals in 14 games this season, with former Leeds United forward Raphinha netting 15 and Lamine Yamal 10.

McGinn added: "We haven't been talking about anyone in particular. They have world-class players in the starting XI and on the bench.

"We respect the players who can hurt us, but we have our own players to cause damage to Barcelona."