Credit: Tung Manh Phan, Breaking Media

Jacob Raw

Sat 23 May 2026 8:10, UK

John McGinn has rightfully forced his way into Aston Villa‘s list of legends after lifting the UEFA Europa League title on Wednesday.

The Scotsman was already considered a cult hero, from his stellar performances in the Championship to assisting Jack Grealish’s goal that kept the Villans in the Premier League.

However, McGinn played an integral role in winning Villa’s first European tournament since 1982, playing 12 Europa League games in total, including the now forever remembered final in Istanbul.

The 31-year-old grabbed an assist for Emi Buendia’s screamer, and it truly felt like there was only one captain out of the two sides who was going to have their hands wrapped around the trophy after the final.

McGinn can now be considered an Aston Villa legend, but how far has this triumph pushed him up the rankings?

John McGinn takes second place in Villa legends list

McGinn has been amazing all season for Villa, registering 17 goal contributions in 43 games, a record campaign for him in B6.

The fan favourite once again played a crucial role in the final, picking up an 8.0 FotMob rating, one which perfectly describes him as a player.

McGinn has an 85 per cent passing accuracy against Freiburg, creating two chances, missing one big opportunity for himself, while also winning five ground duels.

The Villa captain has now made 330 appearances in total, and is arguably the club’s second greatest legend after helping the Villans win their second European tournament.

He sits behind John McGrath, who was regarded as “God” in B6, making 323 appearances, and winning two trophies across a seven-year stay.

Other legends, Peter Withe, Charlie Aitken, and Brian Little, all make the list with a combined 1,195 appearances between them, as well as 11 trophy wins as a player or manager for the club.

This is McGinn’s cost per goal ratio

Villa signed McGinn for just a measly £2.8million from Hibernian in August of 2018, an investment that would pay the club back tenfold.

He’s now racked up 330 appearances for the Villans, scoring 40 goals in that time, at a rate of one per 8.25 matches.

By that math, Villa have paid £70,000 for every goal he’s scored, but every fan knows he’s much more valuable than what he offers in the final third.

Either way, fans shouldn’t be afraid to label McGinn a modern-day legend, because he truly is now, and he joins a long list of people who will never be forgotten at Villa Park.