John McGinn Interview: Aston Villa’s European Trophy captain and why his role is more than football | football news

“It’s Aston Villa,” says John McGinn Sky Sports. “We don’t make things easy for ourselves.” Still, they are one match away from the European final. “We have given ourselves a bit of a tough task but we are confident that we will still get through.”

That confidence stemming from the B6 has waned of late. A one-goal deficit to Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final first leg was one thing. Sunday’s loss at home to Tottenham in the Premier League was a different story.

It piled on the pressure ahead of the second leg. But if there’s any reason to believe, it comes in the unique form of fan-favorite McGinn. The captain missed the Spurs game as a precaution but is expected to return to lead the team at Villa Park on Thursday.

“We worked hard to get the second leg at home. It was a big goal.” Now, speaking Sky Sports Inside Villa Park, McGinn wants to use that advantage under the lights. “It’s a special place. If we get that first goal, the place will be rocking.”

McGinn has seen many such nights at this famous old field. He scored in those, too, such as last season’s 3-2 second-leg win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, when Villa were indeed eventual winners on the ropes.

McGinn’s presence will certainly help. Eight years into his Villa career, his style of play, stirring energy combined with genuine quality continues to resonate with fans. He seems to be feeding them. Six of his seven goals this season have come at home.

“The manager touches it quite a bit. He likes to think I’m a different player here.” McGinn disagrees but talks animatedly about the support he gets from the stands and what it means to him. “For me, there is no better place to play football,” he said.

The favored Scot admitted in the past that he only really knew about Villa Park from the FIFA video game before signing for the club. But the connection is now very real. “It would mean everything,” he said when asked about the prospect of lifting the trophy.

McGinn, 31, has done this at his previous clubs. When he won the Scottish League Cup with St Mirren as a teenager, it was the club’s first major honor in 26 years. He then helped Hibernians end their 114-year wait to win the Scottish Cup.

For Villa, the wait has been 30 years. “I know what it means to people,” McGinn said. “I know what it means to supporters who have traveled for years and not experienced success. So I understand the enormity of the game. We all know what’s at stake.”

There is still a perception that McGinn gets more than the others. It is rare to find someone who is loved both as a player and as a person. He is “trying to convince the new players that this is a club that people live for” – and the supporters appreciate that.

I think being captain at Aston Villa is about more than football.

“I think being captain at Aston Villa is about more than football. It’s about understanding that you’re playing with a purpose. We’ve got a proud history and it’s up to us to try and add to it.” In this context, is it any wonder Steven Gerrard gave him the Villa captaincy?

“He said it’s because of the way I treat people, not just around the training ground, but around the stadium. That’s what I pride myself on. Everyone at this club is valuable and we’re all in this together. I’m proud of the responsibility. I really enjoy it.”

Gerard was not the first to show these qualities in him. There are stories of then Scotland manager Gordon Strachan seeing McGinn as an under-21 player and being impressed by his offer to help the struggling staff carry mannequins and cones to the training ground.

Strachan decided there and then that he would call up McGinn to the first team when the opportunity arose. McGinn now knows the story. He didn’t know it then. “I had no idea he was watching.” Of course, that’s what makes the story so telling.

He attributes this to his upbringing growing up in Clydebank and the schooling he also received at St Mirren. McGinn’s work ethic, on and off the pitch, remains. “I was 17 or 18 as hungry as I am today. I want to be successful. I want to keep going.”

He added: “I don’t think it will leave me. I’ve calmed down a bit with the referees. I haven’t got as many yellow cards. But I’m getting older, wiser, more experienced. That hunger, whether it’s 31, 37 or 38, will be there until my last game in football.”

Recently signed a new contract with Villa which will be a while yet. Financial constraints have probably contributed to Unai Emery keeping this group together for so long but it has also brought coordination, togetherness and greater chemistry on the pitch.

“There’s a lot of players that have been here a long time. Big night, some big memories.” But the coming weeks could still be defining. Fans just want a trophy.

“We have come a long way as a club, but we still have a lot to give,” he admitted. “Lifting silverware as captain of Aston Villa is my number one priority.” But can they actually do it?

Turning this European tie around against an out-of-form Nottingham Forest side will not be easy. These Villa players must show more than their last. “Has to be a massive improvement from last week,” McGinn admitted.

But buoyed by the return of the man who scored twice against Forest at Villa Park earlier this season, the prospect of a big night awaits. “This squad has proven in the past that we are capable of delivering in big moments. We have to do it again.”