John McGinn

[PhilVill]

Absolutely love this bloke. Another couple of seasons with us and he can enjoy easy street with Celtic to see out his career.

[N'ZMAV]

I wonder if he’s starting to get annoyed at the fact he’s usually Emerys first player to be taken off. He’s not finishing matches at the moment. Which is just part of the benefit of having a bigger squad and options. I get the impression Emery loves him and he does pick him most weeks - but he’s almost shoe-horning him into the side in different roles and positions.

I love the bloke.

[Clampy]

I reckon it's either tactical or he's carrying an injury of some sort (although it doesn’t look like it). He was great again yesterday.

[Brend'Watkins]

I can only put it down to how we monitor players minutes during a game. It seems as though SJM lately only has a maximum of 60 to be his most effective. If it means it prolongs his time with us then so be it. We have nobody who can emulate his work rate or influence on a game so we have to manage his time on the pitch.

[brontebilly]

It's bonkers, that's what it is, fatigue with only a few games left doesn't really matter. I get Ramsey is a very good player in that position but McGinn is critical to the team in that kind of form. If Fulham equalised late on, the decision to replace him so early would have been in sharp focus.

He's some warrior. Started the season slowly but he's flying at the business end. Outstanding in both games v PSG, Newcastle and again yesterday. Leaving him out v Man City was crazy.

[PeterWithesShin]

He's played 118 games since the start of last season. Every player is monitored during a game, as soon as their numbers drop to a certain level they will be hooked if possible.

[steamer]

When he goes off the level drops as there is no one with his personality left on the pitch to drive the team on.

[Percy McCarthy]

I think Emery’s just keeping him fresh and taking no chances with him because, like us, he sees him as vital for the run-in.

[Villa Lew]

I could understand it, if we were still having mid week matches, but with a week between matches I don't get it and with nearly 40 minutes still to be played, it seemed a big gamble.

[eamonn]

He was asked about being taken-off early, on TNT after the game. I presumed his answer was going to be something like "Aye, they monitor us in these sports bras that we wear these days and I was in the red zone so fair cop".

Instead, he said that he was a bit surprised/disappointed as he felt he was playing well. But, being the selfless captain he is, he also mentioned that JJ had been performing really well in training and deserved some minutes.

[RamboandBruno]

Even with all the exciting wingers and forwards we’ve had over the years, he’s now up there in my top maybe 3 villa players of all time, behind only Sid and God.
Not about ability, though he has plenty, it’s just the whole package, 7 years now, promotion, just staying up, the Gerard wilderness year(s), the energy in the Emery revolution and he just seems like the best bloke.
We have been very lucky to have him, God I love us to win anything with him as skipper.

[ChicagoLion]

Even with all the exciting wingers and forwards we’ve had over the years, he’s now up there in my top maybe 3 villa players of all time, behind only Sid and God.
Not about ability, though he has plenty, it’s just the whole package, 7 years now, promotion, just staying up, the Gerard wilderness year(s), the energy in the Emery revolution and he just seems like the best bloke.
We have been very lucky to have him, God I love us to win anything with him as skipper.

Agree.

[Mister E]

Even with all the exciting wingers and forwards we’ve had over the years, he’s now up there in my top maybe 3 villa players of all time, behind only Sid and God.
Not about ability, though he has plenty, it’s just the whole package, 7 years now, promotion, just staying up, the Gerard wilderness year(s), the energy in the Emery revolution and he just seems like the best bloke.
We have been very lucky to have him, God I love us to win anything with him as skipper.

Agree.

seconded

[Percy McCarthy]

I honestly didn’t think he could reach these levels. Inspirational player.

[Smithy]

I honestly didn’t think he could reach these levels. Inspirational player.

After he scored that absolute worldie against Sheff Wed in his debut season, I told my mate in the pub that night that he'd win a Ballon D'or.  So he still has a little room to improve :-)