John McGinn

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

He was brilliant. Truly "here, there, every fcuking where"!

[SaddVillan]

I was knackered just watching.

[VillaTim]

Vintage SJM.

[Footy-Vill]

And in stark contrast to the labouring Onana.

[VillaTim]

And in stark contrast to the labouring Onana.

SJM sets the standard .

[Footy-Vill]

Exactly this. And don’t forget he was sent off against Spurs previously costing us the match and more than made up for it yesterday with that perform.

[ChicagoLion]

And some were suggesting he wont get in the team- madness

[brontebilly]

And some were suggesting he wont get in the team- madness

Crazy, I've never been all that comfortable with him playing in a two, taking the ball with his back to the play and distribution from deep. He's struggled at times in that position and it has to be said Spurs were so weak in midfield.

But he really showed us the likes of Onana at the weekend. 💯 commitment, moral courage (as Johnny Giles used refer to it) in getting turned on the ball constantly in tight areas and passing was spot on too, very few safe passes back to a CB. He bullied the two Spurs had in there, three for a finish. You don't have to be a man mountain to do that like Onana. Knowing how to use your body/arse/hips to protect the ball is a great skill.

[Dante Lavelli]

I agree Bronte.  For me the risk v reward of his signature move is too heavily weighted towards the risky when he is in a two.  I’d prefer him slightly further forward (or in a three) and responsible for chasing down the opposition’s Quarterback/Pirlo type player.

One thing is certain, I think Emery will want him in the eleven.  I hate to use the term but he oozes “vibes”.  The football equivalent of Bazball.

[London Villan]

Like a lot of the squad he now has quality players breathing down his neck for a starting position. However, play like that every week and he is undroppable.

That said - we are likely to have a lot of football over the next 3 months - possibly 25 games.... the whole squad will be needed at some point.

[olaftab]

He was brilliant. Truly "here, there, every fcuking where"!

We can not win big games without John. He is that important.

[RamboandBruno]

He was brilliant. Truly "here, there, every fcuking where"!

We can not win big games without John. He is that important.

I agree. The fact that he’s been integral to every one of our teams (apart from time out with the broken ankle) through our transitions from mid table championship side, to relegation strugglers, through Stevie G bollocks ball and into our elevation to a champions league team under Emery, says everything about the man. He’s got character and heart like no one else, but he’s also shown under Emery a true ability to adapt his game.
In his 7th season now, a real Villa legend for the ages for me, we need to win something with John as skipper, it would mean even more if he was lifting the trophy

[Drummond]

Last player out of the ground in Saturday and spent a lot of time chatting to the waiting supporters.

He's a top bloke. Chatted to my lad about the fact he was wearing shorts in the freezing cold, just like him apparently. There were kids there cheering and shouting as they'd got his autograph and met him. Was lovely to see and frankly you could tell McGinn just gets it.

[ChicagoLion]

Last player out of the ground in Saturday and spent a lot of time chatting to the waiting supporters.

He's a top bloke. Chatted to my lad about the fact he was wearing shorts in the freezing cold, just like him apparently. There were kids there cheering and shouting as they'd got his autograph and met him. Was lovely to see and frankly you could tell McGinn just gets it.

Love that.

[brontebilly]

Last player out of the ground in Saturday and spent a lot of time chatting to the waiting supporters.

He's a top bloke. Chatted to my lad about the fact he was wearing shorts in the freezing cold, just like him apparently. There were kids there cheering and shouting as they'd got his autograph and met him. Was lovely to see and frankly you could tell McGinn just gets it.

He's a great lad. I thought Gareth Barry was always a certain pick in our best X1 of last 25-30 years but think McGinn has passed him out over last 12-18 months. Both used their arse/hips to great advantage. Likes of Rogers still needs to learn how to do it.