John McGinn
AVLScotland
Left
Oct 18, 1994
31
5'10"
150 lb
RW
CM
Half-Space Orchestrator
VillaAssists Sunday
McGinn assisted once to go with four shots (one on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Burnley.
Analysis: McGinn assisted Ross Barkley's header in the 42nd minute, a goal which tied the match at 1-1 heading into halftime. It was one of four chances McGinn created in the match and he also recorded four shots and five crosses. He was subbed off in the 85th minute for Leon Bailey after a productive performance.
Starting vs. Forest
McGinn (hamstring) is in the starting lineup for Thursday's Europa League semifinal against Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: As expected, McGinn is back in the mix after not playing against the Spurs over the weekend. The playmaker will slot on the right wing in a 4-2-3-1 setting, so he should be heavily involved in the attacking build-up.
Trains normally, should return
McGinn (hamstring) resumed team training Wednesday and should be an option for Thursday's Europa League semifinal return leg against Nottingham Forest, according to coach Unai Emery. "He trained normally today and if it doesn't change, then he will be available tomorrow "
Analysis: McGinn had been ruled out of Sunday's clash against Tottenham as a precaution after not feeling 100 percent, but his presence on the training pitch is an encouraging sign that he is on track to be available for one of the biggest nights of Aston Villa's season. Villa will assess the captain over the coming hours before making their final squad decisions ahead of Thursday's return leg.
Out with injury
McGinn is out for Sunday's match against Tottenham due to a hamstring injury, according to manager Unai Emery, per Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic. "John, he was confident yesterday but not feeling 100 per cent, so we decided not to take a risk and he's not going to be involved today."
Analysis: McGinn is not with his teammates Sunday as they face the Spurs, with the midfielder left behind due to an injury. Not much more on his status has been given at this time, leaving the severity of the injury up in the air. He is replaced by Jadon Sancho in the starting XI as the club and fans hold their breath, needing their key attacking midfielder as they try to secure a UCL spot and win the Europa League, set to take the field again Thursday.
Assists opener in 4-3 win
McGinn assisted once to go with five crosses (three accurate) and three corners in Sunday's 4-3 win versus Sunderland.
Analysis: McGinn assisted Ollie Watkins to score in the opening few minutes. The game went on to finish 4-3 in the final moments. This was his third assist of the season, and he also assisted in the crucial Europa League win in the last match. He created four chances in the game, which was his second time creating four chances this season.
Nets one
McGinn scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-0 victory versus West Ham United.
Analysis: McGinn netted one goal with two key passes and and a shot on target during the win over West Ham. He made two starts in a row since returning from injury, scoring with a shot on target, three key passes and a successful dribble in that span, returning back to fitness after missing the previous seven PL games.
Scores goal against Lille
McGinn has now started two straight matches since returning from injury and scored once in Thursday's Europa League win over Lille as he continues to build fitness for Aston Villa, according to coach Unai Emery, per John Townley from Birmingham Live. "He needs minutes. He's getting fit again and he will be very important. Today he played progressively getting better. The first half he was recovering confidence. The second half, he scored a goal which is very good for him to feel better."
Analysis: McGinn missed roughly two months with a knee injury but is back in the mix and has now started two straight games since returning. The Villans captain looked sharp and found the net in Thursday's Europa League win over the Dogues, showing he is quickly regaining match fitness while stepping right back into his clear-cut starter and leadership role at Aston Villa. He will now aim to steady a side that managed just two wins in 10 games across all competitions during his absence.
Plays 13 minutes Thursday
McGinn delivered one accurate cross during 13 minutes as a substitute in his return from a knee injury Thursday against Lille.
Analysis: McGinn bounced back after almost two months on the sidelines, giving his team a major midfield boost. Now that he's fully healthy, he could have a reasonable chance of starting in league play, potentially taking Jadon Sancho's place on the right wing. McGinn took a few set pieces early in the season, so he may be reliable for playmaking output.
Available off bench
McGinn (knee) is on the bench for Thursday's game against Lille.
Analysis: McGinn will be an option and could make his return to action in what should be a huge boost for Villa. The talented midfielder hasn't played for Villa since Jan. 18, and he should become a starter as he gains match fitness.
Travels to France
McGinn (knee) has traveled for Thursday's match against Lille and appears to be an option, according to manager Unai Emery. "He is here. Maybe as a captain, as well, he is adding something more, and he is coming back. We are happy, and try to recover his rhythm as soon as possible. But tomorrow, he is here, and he can play even in the beginning, or after."
Analysis: McGinn was back in training this week and has taken another major step in his return to play, as he has traveled for Thursday's UEL match. The question moving forward is how much time he will be available for, potentially not rushing him back into a starting role. Either way, this is a major addition, as the midfielder proves to be one of their critical players in the midfield when fit.
Joins training
McGinn (knee) was back in training Tuesday, according to Matt Maher of the Express and Star.
Analysis: McGinn is continuing to make progress in his steps to return to action, as the midfielder has now been able to take the training pitch. This is major news for the club as he recovers from the knee injury, set to gain back an important part of their midfield quite soon. It remains unseen if he will return before the international break, although Villa does play four times between now and then, potentially finding a spot on the team sheet.
Working on recovery
McGinn (knee) is progressing through rehabilitation, according to manager Unai Emery. "He's progressively getting better, but we have enough players to keep our consistency, to get our performance, and to feel comfortable with the players we have."
Analysis: McGinn is still in recovery and not yet an option, with the midfielder set to miss a 10th straight match due to his knee injury. That said, the midfielder is still waiting on a major boost in health, warranting a return to play. He will be expected to start training soon, hopefully, an option for the club by the end of the month.
Undergoes successful surgery
McGinn underwent a successful knee surgery on Tuesday and will miss around six to eight weeks to recover, he posted on his X account. "Surgery went well and I'll be back before you know it."
Analysis: McGinn suffered a knee injury against Everton that required surgery, which he underwent successfully on Tuesday. Aston Villa's captain will now begin a recovery period that should last between six and eight weeks before returning to the match squad. McGinn is an undisputed starter for the Villains, therefore his absence will force a change in the starting squad, with Jadon Sancho likely seeing greater role in the frontline while he is sidelined if no new player signs during the transfer window.
Expected to miss six weeks
McGinn (knee) is out for the next six weeks, according to Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic.
Analysis: McGinn was waiting for further assessment of a knee injury, and after multiple assessments, it has been deemed that he will miss around six weeks due to the injury. This just adds to the club's issues in the midfield, as Boubacar Kamara (knee) is set to miss out even longer. The hope will be for the midfielder to return come the start of March, with Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana likely to start in the midfield until McGinn returns.
Waiting further assessment
McGinn (knee) is set for further assessment but is still expected to miss weeks, according to manager Unai Emery, per John Townley of Birmingham Live. "We are still waiting because he is still visiting some doctors to have a decision on what to do," Emery explained. It could be some weeks. It depends on the doctor and for him how he feels."
Analysis: McGinn is waiting on a further assessment from doctors following his knee injury, although the midfielder is still not expected to return any time soon. That said, weeks remain for his expected absence, hoping to be an option again in late February. The club remains in a tough spot without him, as Amadou Onana (hamstring), Ross Barkley (knee) and Boubacar Kamara (knee) are also out in the midfield.
Off with knee injury
McGinn was forced off in the 18th minute of Sunday's match against Everton due to an apparent knee injury.
Analysis: McGinn would need to leave the field just 18 minutes into the game, with the midfielder appearing to have suffered a knee injury that seems concerning. The club is already low on midfielders and is now in a dire spot moving forward if McGinn misses time, with Evann Guessand entering in his spot Sunday. This could force the club to bring in a transfer this winter or find a new option in the middle, just holding their breath McGinn's injury looks worse than it really is.
Buries two in win
McGinn scored two goals to go with two shots (two on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: McGinn delivered his first multi-goal game of the season and is now up to three goals in 20 league appearances on the year. This marked just the fourth time in league play that he recorded at least two shots in a match, while it was also the fifth time that he racked up more than 30 completed passes.
Assists opener Sunday
McGinn assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
Analysis: McGinn set up Morgan Rogers' opening goal in the 45th minute Sunday, his second assist of the season. He created three chances for the third time this season -- all of which have come in his last seven appearances -- and put one shot on target on the attack. He was subbed off in the 84th minute for Evann Guessand which is not much of a surprise as he rarely completes the full 90 minutes.
Records first season assist
McGinn assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), six crosses (one accurate) and four chances created in Sunday's 1-0 victory versus Wolverhampton.
Analysis: A constant starter in the league, McGinn delivered his first assist of the season from a season-high four chances created. Across 13 league games, he has attempted 13 shots and created 17 chances, totaling one goal and one assist.
Inks new contract
McGinn signed a new contract with Aston Villa until 2028, the club announced.
Analysis: McGinn has been an undisputed figure for Villa since joining from Hibernian in 2019 and has played an integral role in the club's rise from the Championship to the Champions League. The midfielder has earned 80 caps with Scotland and ranks fifth on his country's all-time goalscoring list.
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