Why Aston Villa agreeing a contract extension with John McGinn is a great move
In an official statement on their club website, Aston Villa have confirmed that midfielder John McGinn has agreed to a new contract at the club. The new four-and-a-half-year contract keeps him at Villa park until the summer of 2025. (h/t Aston Villa FC)
Profile
Born in October 1994, John McGinn started his footballing career in the youth academy of Scottish club St. Mirren. He was promoted to their senior squad in 2012, and made 98 appearances until leaving them in 2015.
He joined Hibernian and won the second-division title with them to earn them a promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2017. After three successful seasons there, Championship club Aston Villa came calling in the summer of 2018.
The 26-year-old Scotsman has also represented the Scottish national team on 29 occasions, scoring 7 goals for them in that time. (h/t transfermarkt)
He has been vital for Villa for so far
Since joining from Hibernian in the summer of 2018, the Scottish midfielder has been a vital part of the Villa squad. He played a major role for the club in the 2018/19 season where the club won promotion to the Premier League.
Since then, McGinn has gone on to make 38 Premier League appearances out of a possible 48 for Villa so far. He is no doubt a vital player for the Villans, especially this season in the Premier League, where the club have made a stellar start.
McGinn has played every single minute of Villa’s season so far and has managed 1 goal and 3 assists. Alongside Douglas Luiz, he has formed a formidable duo in the heart of Villa’s midfield.
His heatmap this season shows his work ethic where his all-round ability makes him a great workhorse midfielder. He is a great player to have in order to link the defence with the attack.
McGinn signing a new contract will please Villa fans
Villa offering him another contract within a space of one year shows how much they value him. The 26-year-old midfielder is very much at the the prime of his career and has a few years left in him to play at his very best.
It was crucial for Villa to tie down a great player like McGinn and make use of his best footballing years. It would also show the club’s intent to the fans of wanting to keep their main players instead of cashing in on them.
Villa’s only quality backup in central midfield is Conor Hourihane, who has just featured in 5 games for the club this season. The club do have Ross Barkley, but his loan spell from Chelsea will end in the summer.
The club also have ex-Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury amongst their ranks, but he turns 31 next year and his meagre two starts in the league last season goes to show just how little faith Dean Smith has in him.
Hence, it was a no-brainer for Aston Villa to keep McGinn happy and tied at the club. Villa’s superb start might have the fans dreaming of a top-10 finish. And if that is to happen, a player like McGinn will surely play a big part in it.
