Aston Villa captain John McGinn has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, demanding they maintain their sky-high standards after a dramatic comeback victory at West Ham United extended their remarkable winning run.
Villa's Resilience Shines in London
The skipper pointed to the 3-2 triumph at the London Stadium as the latest proof of the formidable character within Unai Emery's squad. Villa had to fight back twice after falling behind, first to an early error and then again in the second half, before Morgan Rogers sealed the points with a spectacular late winner.
This result marks a historic ninth consecutive victory in all competitions for Villa. Crucially, it is their sixth straight Premier League win, setting a new club record in the competition.
McGinn's Call for Humility and Focus
Despite the euphoria of another comeback win, McGinn was quick to temper any talk of a title challenge. "No. The manager is making sure we all stay humble," he stated emphatically post-match.
He instead focused on the need for relentless consistency. "We need to keep the standards high," McGinn insisted. "The league has been so demanding this year... We just need to keep going because you never know what's round the corner." His immediate goal is clear: to keep climbing the table and improve on last season's finish.
Rogers' Match-Winning Brilliance
The match was ultimately decided by the brilliance of Morgan Rogers. The forward netted twice, with his 79th-minute decider a thunderous 25-yard strike that flew past West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
McGinn was full of praise for the young talent, quipping, "I just wish he was Scottish!" He added, "He's outstanding and he's also got so much more to give as well... He's an absolutely brilliant player, really keen and hungry to do well for the club."
The statistics underscore Rogers' crucial role: remarkably, all nine of his away Premier League goals for Villa have either put his side ahead or drawn them level.
As the festive fixture list looms, McGinn's message is one of grounded ambition. The victory showcased Villa's spirit and quality, but the captain knows the hard work is only just beginning if this extraordinary run is to continue.
