Aston Villa fans haven’t had much to shout about of late.
The form has gone out of the window and it probably hasn’t been criticised as much outside of the four walls of Aston Villa because of what’s happening to Manchester City and the huge spotlight they are taking up.
Pep Guardiola’s side were humbled 4-0 at home to Tottenham on Saturday evening and they have now lost five games in a row – that’s the first time it has happened in Guardiola’s career.
In that aspect, it makes Villa’s barren run sound less worse, with Unai Emery avoiding losing five games in a row for the first time in his career on Saturday.
Hours before Manchester City were taken to the cleaners by Spurs, Villa recorded a 2-2 draw at home to Palace and the defensive woes continued.
Looking at the positives, the team is still creating chances, Ross Barkley looked class in midfield and Ollie Watkins is scoring again.
But there was one other thing to smile about and it involved John McGinn.
John McGinn reacts to making 250 appearances for Aston Villa
What a servant McGinn has been for Villa and what a journey he has been on during his time in the Midlands.
That unknown figure that arrived in 2018 from Hibernian when Villa were in the Championship has transformed and helped take the club to levels they thought they would never reach again.
McGinn has played a huge part in Villa reaching the Champions League and after playing his 250th game in Claret and Blue colours, he sent this message to fans on Instagram.
“Proud to have played 250 times in claret and blue,” wrote McGinn. “Not the result or the few weeks we have all wanted but keep the faith #UTV.”
What Jack Grealish and teammates posted about McGinn
Jack Grealish was at Villa when McGinn initially joined and the duo played a huge part in helping the club back to the elite.
Since then, they have become really good friends and perhaps fans will see them link up again one day.
But amid Man City’s struggles, Grealish reacted in the comments section of McGinn’s Instagram to his 250th appearance by sending clapping emojis.
Barkley told McGinn that he is ‘some man’, whilst former academy player Harvey Knibbs added ‘what a guy’, as Matt Targett, Alan Hutton and Lucas Digne also applauded the skipper.
