John McGinn contract extension at Aston Villa a just reward after bold steps taken under Unai Emery
Over the years, a number of players have embodied Aston Villa Football Club through their commitment, dedication and skill, but few have done so more successfully than John McGinn.
The club recently revealed that the Scotland international had put pen to paper in a contract extension that will keep him a Villan until 2027.
After skippering Villa to a European finish in over a decade under Unai Emery last season and taking substantial steps to improve his individual game, this long-term contract was thoroughly deserved.
“He immediately endeared himself to the Villa support with his all-action displays in the middle of the park,” the club said in a statement.
“One of the first names on the team sheet ever since, the firm fans’ favourite was named club captain last summer.”
It is hard to disagree with the fact that since joining from Hibernian in 2018 for a modest £2.7million, McGinn has only moved from strength to strength in the middle of the park.
Players with half his talent and dedication have gone for £20million or £30million in recent years, so it is no surprise that Emery wanted to retain his services as quickly as possible this summer.
The Opta-powered stats on FBREF highlight the improvements of the 28-year-old last campaign under the Spanish manager, and in particular, the more daring he has become in possession of the ball.
Over the last year, McGinn lies in the 78th percentile of European midfielders for take-ons attempted (2.34 per 90) as well as the top 15% of his counterparts for successful take-ons (1.50 per 90) at a 64.3% success rate.
However, the Scot’s defensive contributions have long been regarded as his forte, and this was no exception last term, recording an average of 2.21 tackles per 90 minutes and 1.44 blocks per outing – a tally that is in the top 25% of European midfielders.
The one aspect of his game that he will look to build on under Emery is his goals and assists output, following a season which reaped just one goal and three assists from 34 outings.
If McGinn can raise these numbers to anywhere above the eight-goal contributions from the 2020/21 season or the seven accumulative goals and assists from 2021/22, then he could start to look like the full package in the middle of the park.
In other Aston Villa news, the club would not be in Europe next season without one player who sits top of one key statistical area.