John McGinn Expected to be involved Against Lille
John McGinn has returned to training ahead of Aston Villa’s Europa League last sixteen first leg against Lille on Thursday, according to the Express and Star, offering Unai Emery an earlier than expected potential boost with the return of his captain.
The Villa captain underwent minor surgery following the knee injury sustained in the 1-0 home defeat to Everton on January 18th— a result that now feels like the moment Villa’s season began to unravel. In the aftermath of the game, the working estimate was that supporters wouldn’t see him again until Villa’s trip to Old Trafford at the weekend (15th March) at the earliest, with the Lille second leg at Villa Park the more realistic target.
His return to training ahead of Thursday is certainly a best case scenario in terms of his return. A player of McGinn’s energy and experience is exactly the adrenaline shot a team playing without conviction desperately needs. Villa currently sit 17th in the Premier League form table over the last six games, with five points from a possible 18.
Despite his recent injury, McGinn has still played the sixth most amount of league minutes of any Villa player, in his 21 starts and single substitute appearance. As well as his presence on the pitch, Villa have missed him in terms of leadership, which had contributed to Villa’s undoubted resolve during their successful period before the turn of the year.
Whether Emery risks starting him in France or opts to protect him for the Premier League fixture ahead remains to be seen.
If he is fit for the trip to Lille, then the expectation would be for him to start from the bench. Villa would no doubt be content with a draw at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy and to use the game to warm McGinn back into the fray, before the Champions League qualification six-pointer at Old Trafford.
Villa’s season isn’t over. But it needed something to happen. McGinn coming back this week is definitely a start.
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