John McGinn has now revealed how he reacted when Aston Villa teammate Ollie Watkins scored in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
Aston Villa saw many of their players performing for their countries on the international stage as Emi Martinez gleaned silverware with Argentina, winning the Copa America.
The other big tournament that took place this summer was Euro 2024, as Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa were selected for England, Youri Tielemans pulled the strings in midfield for Belgium and John McGinn played for Scotland.
England, of course, did by far the best of any nation involving a Villa player at the tournament, as they lost 2-1 in the final against Spain.
Villa striker Watkins produced the most memorable of his career so far when he fired the Three Lions into the final, with McGinn explaining how he felt when his teammate scored such an important goal.
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John McGinn on the ‘strangest feeling’ when Ollie Watkins scored at Euro 2024
Scotland – who finished bottom and were knocked out at the group stage – were understandably wanting England to lose their semi-final clash against the Netherlands.
There’s an intense rivalry between the two nations and McGinn, more than most, understands how much they despise one another.
So, when Watkins scored to send England through to the final, it was a bittersweet moment for the Villa midfielder, who wanted to see the Three Lions get knocked out but was still over the moon that it was Watkins who sent them there.
Describing the moment as the ‘strangest feeling ever’, McGinn said live on talkSPORT: “I was watching the game but I wasn’t really. Then England got the goal disallowed and then Ollie scored and it was the strangest feeling ever.
“I was just delighted for him and you could see in his face how much it meant to him and I just pictured myself in that same scenario. For how hard he’s worked, how far he’s come and to know how much that would mean, I was delighted for him.”
McGinn and Watkins are indispensable to Aston Villa
McGinn and Watkins were granted extended breaks after playing for their respective nations at Euro 2024.
Whilst McGinn has since played Villa’s last four matches in pre-season, his teammate is yet to play a single minute after his involvement in this summer’s tournament.
Watkins was available for their final match, a 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund, but he wasn’t risked and instead, it was Morgan Rogers who led the line.
Despite not featuring at all for Emery in pre-season, it would be a surprise to see his goal machine and chief creator left out of the starting XI against West Ham.
Much like McGinn, for the energy and incredible work rate he brings to the squad, no one can replace the quality Watkins brings in the final, with the Englishman desperate to continue where he left off last term.
