In an exclusive and revealing interview from Aston Villa’s U.S. training base in Nashville, Tennessee, talismanic captain John McGinn openly discussed the burning desire to end the club’s long-standing trophy drought. His candid reflections came as he observed rival clubs, including Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace, lift silverware last season, a sight that ignited a profound sense of ‘jealousy’ and intensified his drive to lead Aston Villa to similar glory.
McGinn’s commitment to the club remains unwavering as he approaches his eighth season with Aston Villa, feeling more robust and prepared than ever before for the challenges ahead. The upcoming campaign promises multiple opportunities for silverware, with a coveted place in European football offering another significant avenue for the team to compete fiercely alongside domestic cup competitions.
The memory of a controversial 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford still lingers, a match shrouded in a contentious refereeing decision. Villa were denied a potentially decisive lead when official Thomas Bramall prematurely blew the whistle, negating a goal from Morgan Rogers after he dispossessed Altay Bayindir, a moment that epitomized the frustrations of the encounter for McGinn and his squad.
Reflecting on that particular match, McGinn admitted, “It was tough to take, especially the goal difference and the manner of it.” He candidly acknowledged that their performance on the day was “not good enough” but also firmly stood by the team’s feeling of being “hard done by” due to several contentious decisions throughout the game, a sentiment he believes is justifiable despite the commonality of such grievances in football.
The Scottish international openly shared his motivation, stating, “There is obviously a tinge of jealousy seeing clubs who had a similar trophy drought to us win trophies. We are human and we watch that with a bit of jealousy. It drives you on and you want to be part of the group who changes that for Villa.” This candid admission underscores the collective ambition within the squad to elevate Aston Villa’s standing in English football and secure tangible success.
McGinn’s tenure at Aston Villa has seen the club undergo a remarkable transformation, a progression that is “night and day” from when he first joined. With less than two years remaining on his current contract, the midfielder expressed a profound desire to extend his journey with the club, signaling his long-term commitment to their continued ascent in the Premier League and beyond.
His influence extends beyond mere performance; McGinn has firmly established himself as a prominent figure in Aston Villa’s history, moving into the top 10 Premier League appearance-makers for the club in May. With 203 top-flight games under his belt, he is poised to climb further, potentially breaking into the top five next term, highlighting his enduring presence and impact on the team.
The captaincy role, a position he has held with distinction, has been a journey of personal growth for McGinn. While admitting he doesn’t “enjoy a lot of it,” he feels he commands the “respect of the boys,” preferring to lead by example on the pitch. Crucially, his approach has been shaped by invaluable advice from past Aston Villa captains, including James Chester and Jack Grealish, who advised him simply: “don’t change, be yourself.”
