Aston Villa have just two games left of what has been an incredible season.
Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final exit at the hands of Olympiacos was disappointing but the fact Villa fell just short of their first European final in 42 years shows the trajectory the club are on.
Now, Unai Emery‘s side need a maximum of three points from their last two Premier League games to secure a spot in the Champions League for next season.
They may not even need that as, if Tottenham Hotspur fail to beat Manchester City on Tuesday night, Villa will have fourth spot confirmed regardless of their own results.
However, they would love to get Champions League secured in front of their own fans and they have the opportunity to do just that as they host Liverpool on Monday night.
John McGinn will be key against Liverpool
Liverpool have suffered the disappointment of seeing their title aspirations ended this weekend as Manchester City beat Fulham 4-0 on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will still represent a really tough test despite that heartbreak, though, and Villa will have to be at their best to get the three points that secures a spot in Europe’s elite club competition.
One player who will be key to that is John McGinn.
The Villa captain will have had a big role to play in rallying the troops after the European exit on Thursday night, but it is on the pitch where he will be crucial in the next week.
There are a lot of tired legs within the Villa ranks and whilst McGinn will be no different, his relentless running and the standards he demands of his teammates will be huge.
The Scotland international was one of few players in a Villa shirt that performed well against Olympiacos and looked determined to persistently try and turn his side’s fortunes.
Liverpool are renowned for their high-energy style and McGinn will be the player tasked with matching that intensity to help his side win the midfield battle.
If McGinn, and likely Douglas Luiz alongside him, are successful, Villa will see their chances of securing the biggest three points of their season increase dramatically.
McGinn a real leader in Unai Emery’s side
With Tyrone Mings falling victim to an ACL injury in the opening day draw with Newcastle United, Villa lost a hugely influential figure in the dressing room.
With Mings out all season, McGinn has taken on huge responsibility and his contribution to such an impressive season should not be understated.
Emery loves the 29-year-old and waxed lyrical about the midfielder in the aftermath of a win over Fulham in February, saying: “John McGinn, his spirit is amazing and his quality as well. When the match needed something more on Saturday, he responded very well.
“He is an experienced player and is progressing here. This is the first time he is playing for something higher in his career, to be in the top seven, top five, top four.
“He is very motivated and one of the leaders in the dressing room. Plus his ability to play in different positions, being versatile like he is, is very important.
“Always you can feel with him 90 minutes is not a long time for him to play. He has good fitness and is in good spirit.
The fitness Emery referenced is being tested to its limits with a heavily depleted squad limping to the finish line but if anyone can provide the energy to get them there, McGinn certainly can.
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