Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has expressed his delight with club captain John McGinn amid the 29-year-old’s switch in position to cover for the injured Boubacar Kamara.
Aston Villa captain John McGinn rarely puts a foot wrong for the Villans, more so under the guidance of Unai Emery.
The Spaniard was forced to adapt his team following the news of Boubacar Kamara’s season-ending injury, a devastating blow that has so far seen McGinn step away from the front line to partner Douglas Luiz in the engine room.
While the Scotland international has a host of experience playing in the position, he has thrived in a more advanced role since Emery’s arrival to provide tireless support in the final third.
Unai Emery praises the versatility of John McGinn
Following Saturday’s impressive win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, the manager sang the praises of his skipper, courtesy of Express and Star.
“John McGinn, his spirit is amazing and his quality as well. When the match needed something more on Saturday, he responded very well.”
“He is an experienced player and is progressing here. This is the first time he is playing for something higher in his career, to be in the top seven, top five, top four.”
Having played his career in the Scottish Championship and the Scottish Premiership before joining the Villans in the Championship in 2018, McGinn is now thriving as his side pushes for a Champions League finish this term in the top flight.
With six goals already in the Premier League this term, the 29-year-old has already eclipsed his highest-ever scoring tally in the top tier in his career, with 13 games still to play this campaign.
As well as commending the Scotsman on his performance on Saturday and his ability to elevate his game to continually fit into the starting XI, Emery emphasised the importance of the captain’s presence in the side.
“He is very motivated and one of the leaders in the dressing room. Plus his ability to play in different positions, being versatile like he is, is very important.”
“Always you can feel with him 90 minutes is not a long time for him to play. He has good fitness and is in good spirit.”
Aston Villa can rely on John McGinn in any position
The manager’s praise of McGinn is echoed by all associated with Aston Villa, with his versatility traceable throughout the past few years at the club.
In times of struggle and success, the former Hibernian ace has delivered for the Midlands club, playing both deep and in attack to great effect.
You only need to revise the differences in the skipper’s statistics over the past few years to see just how adaptable he has been, supporting Emery’s praise surrounding his strengths to cover different positions.
Going back to the 2021/22 Premier League season, McGinn averaged 3.09 tackles, 5.71 progressive passes and 0.09 non-penalty goals per 90 for Villa, figures that have significantly changed in comparison to this campaign, via FBref.
This season, the 29-year-old’s versatility is traceable through the differences in his numbers, averaging fewer tackles with 1.65 per 90, but excelling with 6.34 progressive passes and most prominently 0.25 non-penalty goals per 90.
The statistics communicate the roundedness of the captain’s game, allowing him to conform to whatever role the manager asks of him, whether it be to advance in attack or showcase his combative edge centrally.
Emery’s praise of the Scotland international is echoed throughout the club, with his input this term vital to the Villans’ consistency.
