Micah Richards couldn’t be more on it after what he’s said about John McGinn at Aston Villa
Micah Richards can’t believe what he’s been seeing from John McGinn after Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.
Aston Villa beat Man United 2-1 to keep the pace with league leaders Arsenal and Man City at a raucous Villa Park.
Fans can scarcely believe that Villa are in a title race given the underwhelming summer transfer window, and Unai Emery’s side are certainly exceeding expectations in the top flight.
McGinn has often been the hero for Villa in the past, yet this season his performances have largely gone under the radar beyond those who regularly watch the Villans.
However, Richards was quick to highlight how impressive he has been during his career at Villa Park.
John McGinn excels once again for Aston Villa vs Man United
McGinn was linked with Everton in the summer, yet that move never materialised for the 30-year-old, leaving Emery thrilled that he could keep his star man in midfield.
He was brilliant against Man United and added real impetus to Villa’s attacking play, and provided the assist for Rogers’ opening goal.
According to FotMob, McGinn completed 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles and 100 per cent of his long balls.
Overall this season he has averaged a pass accuracy of just under 83 per cent and has created 22 chances for team-mates.
| Appearances | 17 |
| Pass accuracy | 82.7% |
| Chances created | 22 |
| Successful crosses | 14 |
| Fouls won | 31 |
Often described as a bulldog in midfield, he has quickly become one of the most influential players in the Premier League, and he created three chances in Sunday’s win.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards couldn’t contain his praise for McGinn’s emergence at Villa.
He said: “His energy for the team, he always runs back, he always looks forward, and he is so dependable.
“He’s gone from strength to strength since he joined, and to see him improve from when I was there is brilliant to see.”
Since joining Villa in 2018, McGinn has been instrumental in taking the team from the Championship to the Champions League, and it’s no wonder he has improved since Richards’ spell in B4, which ended in the same year.
- Read more: Wayne Rooney argument pulled apart as ex-Aston Villa player reacts to comments seen online
John McGinn’s importance cannot be overstated for Aston Villa
While Morgan Rogers will take the headlines for Aston Villa, McGinn’s work off the ball on the right-hand side paves the way for the success in the final third.
Having transitioned to a wide position this season, his qualities as a central midfielder make him an unorthodox winger.
However, the 31-year-old has adapted to the change with ease, and he has kept the likes of Evann Guessand and Donyell Malen out of the team.
He has become a modern-day legend in B4, and when he eventually leaves, it won’t be easy for Villa to replace his professionalism both on and off the pitch.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Aston Villa news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @villanews247