Aston Villa captain John McGinn has opened up about how the success of former teammates Jack Grealish and Andy Robertson fuelled his own desire to lift a European trophy. The Scotland international, who has been a key figure in Villa's resurgence under Unai Emery, admitted that seeing close friends achieve the highest honours in the game motivated him to push for similar success.
Inspiration from Teammates
McGinn, who played alongside Grealish at Villa Park before the latter's move to Manchester City, and Robertson at Hibernian early in his career, revealed that their triumphs acted as a driving force. Grealish won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League with City, while Robertson has collected numerous titles with Liverpool, including the Premier League and Champions League.
“It’s my turn now,” McGinn said in an interview. “Seeing Jack and Andy lift those trophies made me realise that it’s possible. They are both incredible players and even better people. Their success gave me the belief that I can achieve something special with Aston Villa.”
Villa’s European Ambitions
Under Emery, Villa have qualified for the Europa Conference League and are pushing for a return to European football’s top table. McGinn, who has been instrumental in midfield, believes the squad has the quality to compete for silverware. “We have a manager who knows how to win in Europe, and a group of players who are hungry for success. The fans deserve it, and we want to give them nights to remember,” he added.
The 29-year-old also highlighted the importance of the captaincy in his development. “Being captain of this club is a huge responsibility, but it also gives me the platform to lead by example. I want to be the one lifting a trophy for Aston Villa.”
Looking Ahead
Villa’s next test comes in the Premier League as they aim to secure a top-four finish. McGinn’s form will be crucial, and his determination to emulate the success of Grealish and Robertson could inspire a historic campaign for the club.
