John McGinn

[Exeter 77]

McGinn has answered all the questions Villa have ever asked of him. Whenever the club has gone up a level so has he.

[Gerrin]

Grealish was really bloody important to us and played a key role in the early stages of our resurgence. McGinn is a legend who has driven us through that entire journey.

I'm with this too. Mcginn is an absolute legend now, scored in the play off final, captain in the Europa League final, very nearly dragged us past PSG last season too in the CL. Grealish doesn't get legend status, but he was hugely important to us at the time, and was an absolute joy to watch. I'll not knock the guy.

[Brazilian Villain]

This aged well. https://x.com/TEnglishSport/status/1022841010664222720
"£1.5m for McGinn is not derisory, in my opinion. He’d struggle to get into this Celtic team."

[cdbearsfan]

To be fair to him, he hasn't cheated and deleted it.

[RamboandBruno]

I think McGinn is now neck and neck with God in terms of legendary status.

Yes!

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

I think McGinn is now neck and neck with God in terms of legendary status.

Yes!

As he's younger, he can be the Son of God, or maybe the Holy Spirit. Apologies to any practising Christians on this forum!

[Pat Mustard]

He's gone to number 1 in my list of the best to ever wear the shirt.  Whilst there may have been others with more natural talent, there's not another player who has done more to maximise it in my lifetime.  The journey from that volley against Sheffield Wednesday in 2018 to lifting the trophy on Wednesday night is incredible - absolutely love the guy!

[Chris Harte]

This aged well. https://x.com/TEnglishSport/status/1022841010664222720
"£1.5m for McGinn is not derisory, in my opinion. He’d struggle to get into this Celtic team."

Celtic would struggle to get in a McGinn team.

[mike]

McGinn has answered all the questions Villa have ever asked of him. Whenever the club has gone up a level so has he.

That is a really good point. He was good in the Championship and then was able to move up and cope in the first couple of years poodling around the lower levels of the Premiership, and now we're a Champions League Club he is undoubtedly a CL level player. His constant self improvement is a credit to him. Even more so because he remains the same scallywag he was when he was a babby.

[Brazilian Villain]

McGinn has answered all the questions Villa have ever asked of him. Whenever the club has gone up a level so has he.

That is a really good point. He was good in the Championship and then was able to move up and cope in the first couple of years poodling around the lower levels of the Premiership, and now we're a Champions League Club he is undoubtedly a CL level player. His constant self improvement is a credit to him. Even more so because he remains the same scallywag he was when he was a babby.

Let's see if he can fire Scotland to World Cup glory.

[Somniloquism]

I just want him to have a McGrath style match where he just rules the midfield against Brazil.

[Brazilian Villain]

I just want him to have a McGrath style match where he just rules the midfield against Brazil.

With Neymar and Vinicius Jr. fighting over who gets to swap shirts with him.

[brontebilly]

A few years ago, during a tough spell, I saw McGinn having a few pints in The Windsor in town. That's how bad his form was and he was in and out of the team at the time. How times have changed.

Emery found the perfect position for him, that's after bringing him on up front in his first game! McGinn really struggled in that mess of a midfield three Gerrard had in place, providing cover to the likes of Cash bombing forward! From memory under Smith he did have a bad injury in his first season but was very much in Grealishs shadow, far from the only one.

He said it earlier in the season, every summer Villa bring in a younger and sexier player to take his place. Every six months, it kicks off here, don't think McGinn makes our best X1 etc - but he keeps proving the doubters wrong. Elite ball retention, decent shot on him, passing has improved beyond recognition but it's his tactical smarts that stand out for me. He knows what is called for in a game. Whether it's a driving run or booting the ball off Elliot Anderson's head. Think he could go onto be a great manager. Either way he surpassed Gareth Barry for me some time ago on in my Villa X1, he's a true Villa legend.

[Rigadon]

McGinn has answered all the questions Villa have ever asked of him. Whenever the club has gone up a level so has he.

Otherwise put, whenever he's gone up a level, so has the club.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Not seen this posted but I saw it last week, it says so much about the man

"Steve Bruce made me believe I can compete in England.
Dean Smith made me feel I can compete in the premier league.
Steven Gerrard made me a leader.
Unai Emery has made me a much better footballer."

As for not getting in the Celtic team when we signed him, I had a lovely chat at half time on Wednesday night with an old fella, Celtic fan, his grandson had offered him the trip - his first time outside the UK. Let's just say he loved SJM as much as I do. He was still completely furious how Celtic refused to cough up the money to buy SJM from Hibs and watching him for Villa week in, week out just adds fuel to the fire.

Oh and I fully agree with Exeter, SJM has probably had his best ever season in a Villa shirt..so far.