John McGinn’s impressive form this season has often been overshadowed by the performances of his teammates, such as Ollie Watkins, Moussa Diaby, and Douglas Luiz. However, this unassuming midfielder has played a crucial role in Aston Villa’s success. In their recent 3-1 victory over Luton, McGinn shone once again, scoring the opening goal and driving the team forward.
His goal against Luton, his fourth of the season, showcased his exceptional skills. McGinn received the ball on the edge of the box from a well-executed free-kick, bypassed two defenders, and expertly placed the ball into the bottom-left corner. This goal reflects his current confidence and his overall performance was filled with moments of brilliance.
While Villa is one of the Premier League’s top-scoring teams this season with 26 goals in 10 games, McGinn has primarily focused on efficiently advancing the ball through midfield at pace, leaving the goal-scoring duties to his more attacking teammates. He leads Villa in both attempted (21) and completed (14) dribbles, and ranks second in completed passes into the final third (98).
In a team where everyone must excel in their respective roles, McGinn has thrived. At 29 years old, he is playing the best football of his career and is on track to surpass his previous season’s goal tally of seven (achieved in 2018-19). He attributes much of his success to manager Unai Emery, who has elevated his game and changed his playing style. McGinn appreciates Emery’s influence, stating, “The manager has taken my game to another level. I can’t thank him enough for what he’s given me.”
McGinn’s intelligence and adaptability are evident as he has played in various midfield positions this season, often starting on the right or left flanks but occasionally moving to a central role. This flexibility allows him to find pockets of space, drive forward, create opportunities for teammates, and take shots, leading to an increase in goals.
As they prepare for their upcoming match against Nottingham Forest, Emery will undoubtedly rely on McGinn, who has become an indispensable asset in Villa’s midfield.