John McGinn

[Risso]

The challenge in the first minute after Ollie hit the post set the tone, he absolutely slammed Burn because the opportunity presented itself

That was great. Went through him like a dose of salts.

[brontebilly]

Some older posts on this thread make interesting reading 😬

[darren woolley]

I loved him slamming Burn brilliant SJM.

[ChicagoLion]

I think we would miss him more than just about any player right now.

[PeterWithesShin]

John McGinn hasn't wasted the opportunity to put Callum Wilson in his place after the Newcastle striker's " fire brigade" remark.

Wilson gave McGinn's Aston Villa plenty ammunition ahead of their meeting on Saturday, as he suggested the emergency services were need to put "the fire out". The comment was a reference to Newcastle's superb form under Eddie Howe this season.

Villa responded by thumping Newcastle 3-0 at home on Saturday to dent their Premier League top-four hopes. Not content with their resounding win, Scotland international McGinn has made a cheeky remark of his own to leave Wilson with his egg on his face.

McGinn was asked about Wilson's pre-match comment after Saturday's game during a chat with the Express & Star. He replied: "Actually, I didn’t notice that but like a lot of emergency services at the minute, the fire brigade must have been on strike."

Newcastle are enjoying a superb season under Eddie Howe. They are fourth in the Premier League table, three points ahead of Tottenham in fifth, and are now expected to beat the likes of Spurs and Liverpool to a Champions League qualification spot.

As such, Wilson was full of confidence heading into Saturday's game. "Looks like we're going to have to put the fire out," Wilson told the BBC's Footballer's Football Podcast - delivering his now regrettable line. "Someone call the fire brigade!"We've won the last five. On form it's a good fixture, they'll have extra motivation as we beat them [Villa] 4-0 at home. It's going to be a game where they want to get their own back in front of the fans. It's going to be a difficult match."

It proved to be exactly that, as a brace from Ollie Watkins helped Villa ease to victory. Unai Emery's side have now picked up 22 points from the last 24 available to jump up to sixth in the Premier League table - just six points behind Newcastle in fourth.

While it seems unlikely Villa will catch Newcastle, qualifying for Europe is now a possibility for the West Midlands club. McGinn is confident his team can get over the line.

The Scot added: "I said last week we need to be almost perfect to get European football. I think we would maybe need to be 100 per cent to get there [Champions League].

"As much as we are getting really excited, it is important we make sure the group does not get too carried away. As good as we feel at the moment, this game can bring you down like a ton of bricks.

"Brentford next week is a huge game for us. They are someone we have been chasing all season and now we have the opportunity to put them behind us. Once it is full-time there, we will see where we are."

[Pat Mustard]

The challenge in the first minute after Ollie hit the post set the tone, he absolutely slammed Burn because the opportunity presented itself

I said to a couple of mates after the game that McGinn had bullied Burn from the first minute - so much so I thought he might cry when Howe finally put him out of his misery and brought him off.

[chrisw1]

I thought his performance was superb.  His strength to hold off Burn all day was something to behold.  He really is a lion heart and back to his absolute best. 

[LeeB]

The challenge in the first minute after Ollie hit the post set the tone, he absolutely slammed Burn because the opportunity presented itself

I said to a couple of mates after the game that McGinn had bullied Burn from the first minute - so much so I thought he might cry when Howe finally put him out of his misery and brought him off.

Dan Burn will have been questioning his own existence after Saturday

[Risso]

Dan Burn will have been questioning his own existence after Saturday

He appeard to have a bit of a "Buendia" ie a mild strop at his manager as he was subbed. The huge fucking donkey.

[danno]

I did laugh when Matt Targett came on, in a sort of what do you expect him to do? kind of way.

[VILLA MOLE]

I did laugh when Matt Targett came on, in a sort of what do you expect him to do? kind of way.

i was relieved when he came on and then felt bad for feeling ,  then ecstatic and then hungry 🤔

[Nev]

I think he touched the ball once in that first half, and he touched our Captain constantly. I was incandescent with the ref for letting it go but in hindsight it made it worse for Burn. He was like a bouncer manhandling someone out of The Tuxedo Princess.

[LeeB]

I think he touched the ball once in that first half, and he touched our Captain constantly. I was incandescent with the ref for letting it go but in hindsight it made it worse for Burn. He was like a bouncer manhandling someone out of The Tuxedo Princess.

It was like an octopus trying to wrestle a bear, but the bear is a bit bored and just getting on with his day despite the minor inconvenience.

[Drummond]

I think he touched the ball once in that first half, and he touched our Captain constantly. I was incandescent with the ref for letting it go but in hindsight it made it worse for Burn. He was like a bouncer manhandling someone out of The Tuxedo Princess.

It was like an octopus trying to wrestle a bear, but the bear is a bit bored and just getting on with his day despite the minor inconvenience.

It was a big fucking octopus. More like an 8 armed elephant.

[Toronto Villa]

Actually brilliant from Callum Wilson responding to SJM’s comments after last weeks game

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0fhjs64