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FORMER Whites captain Stephen Warnock has hailed Leeds United's Luke Ayling as the club's "magnificent" Mr Versatile and the most improved player he faced during his career over the last two years.

Left back Warnock faced Ayling during his time at Bristol City before Ayling made the switch to Leeds from the Robins for just £250,000 in August 2016.

Four years on, Ayling is United's vice-captain in the Premier League with the right-back wearing the skipper's arm band in Friday night's 3-0 win at Aston Villa in the absence of the injured Liam Cooper and shifting form his normal right back role to partner Robin Koch at centre-half.

The 29-year-old sprayed passes towards United's front men all evening and also made a crucial recovery to block a fierce shot from Jack Grealish on the line that would otherwise have given Villa a 1-0 lead.

QUICK THINKING: Leeds United defender Luke Ayling swiftly recovers from conceding possession to clear Jack Grealish's shot off the line in Friday's 3-0 triumph at Aston Villa. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.

The two sides instead entered the interval goalless and Leeds then ran riot in the second half with Patrick Bamford bagging a 19-minute hat-trick in a 3-0 victory.

"He's become a Mr Versatile for Leeds United," said Warnock, speaking on Sky Sports' The Football Show.

"I remember playing against Luke Ayling when he was at Bristol City and he was physically very strong, athletically brilliant, on the ball, okay.

Former Whites captain hails Leeds United ace as most improved player he has faced during career