Unai Emery has highlighted club captain John McGinn as the Aston Villa player setting “the example” that has inspired his team to success in the Premier League following a magnificent 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday night.
The Midlands outfit secured their 14th home victory in a row and moved up to third in the Premier League table after toppling the champions.
In a domineering performance that saw Emery’s side register a whopping 24 shots on goal to City’s two, Leon Bailey’s deflected strike turned out to be the match-winner.
Bailey has only started in four of his 13 top-flight appearances for Aston Villa this term but having found the net in consecutive games, the 24-year-old is staking his claim for a regular run in the team.
Despite being unplayable on the night and stealing the headlines with his goal, it was John McGinn who received the most glowing praise from the Spaniard.
Unai Emery says Aston Villa captain John McGinn is key to success
Every time he steps onto the field, McGinn puts in 100% and that was no different against Man City as he recorded more ground duels (14) than any other player on the pitch, as per Sofascore.
Emery singled out the Scotsman as an example of how he’s transformed into an integral part of the squad and hailed him for his leadership.
He said: “They are very good players and when I arrived here they were very good. But sometimes you need a comfortable atmosphere. John McGinn is the example of it. He’s a fantastic man and captain. On the pitch he is smiling but he is also so responsible.”
In a squad littered with talent, McGinn possesses that, but also the ability to run through brick walls for his team and set the tone through his ferocious pressing.
Dubbed by journalist Zach Lowy as a ‘manager’s dream’, the 29-year-old is adored by many because he puts blood, sweat and tears into every performance.
The energetic midfielder rarely, if ever, lets his team down and has ability to conjure up match-winning moments, as seen in the Europa Conference League this term.
Can Aston Villa win silverware?
West Ham United managed to win the competition despite finishing 14th in the Premier League and whilst the Hammers compromised their league form to lift silverware, Villa have the best of both words.
Currently third in the top flight, Emery’s side confirmed their place in the Europa Conference League knockout stages with a 2-1 victory over Legia Warsaw and McGinn has been instrumental in the group phase.
He scored a 94th-minute header on the second matchday to seal their first three points against HSK Zrinjski Mostar and from there, the Villans have been imperious, winning their next three matches.
McGinn also weighed in with a goal and an assist in the 4-1 win over AZ Alkmaar.
If the Scot can continue to conjure up magic in Europe, there’s no reason why the Villans can’t glean silverware in Europe.
