Aston Villa captain John McGinn has lifted the lid on the dressing room joke that inspired his peculiar goal celebration during a crucial Premier League victory.
The Brace and the Bizarre Stomp
John McGinn netted his first-ever Premier League brace as Aston Villa defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 on January 3rd, 2026. The Scottish midfielder scored either side of a Morgan Gibbs-White goal for the visitors, with his second strike coming from a Matty Cash cross.
After converting that decisive goal, McGinn marked the moment with an unusual routine, hunching his back and stomping his feet on the Villa Park turf. The celebration immediately sparked curiosity among fans and pundits alike.
A "Wee Nod" to the Manager's Mantra
In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, the Villa skipper revealed the celebration's hidden meaning. He explained it was a light-hearted reference to manager Unai Emery's persistent training ground instructions.
"A wee joke in the dressing room," McGinn stated. "I don't know how much I can say about it! There is a reason behind it and it was hinting at the manager talking about us going step by step, so it was a wee nod towards that."
He added that Emery had specifically urged him to adopt a more intense approach and make more frequent runs into the penalty area. "The manager wanted me to be more intense and get in the box and thankfully I did that," McGinn confirmed.
Emery's Praise and Villa's Reaction
The brace was a significant personal milestone for McGinn. It was only his second double in 311 appearances for the club, with his first also coming against Nottingham Forest back in March 2019 in the Championship.
Emery was full of praise for his captain's contribution after the full-time whistle. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, the manager emphasised the importance of goals from across the team. "We need goals from the players, the strikers, the midfielders, everybody," Emery said. "I try to set ambitions individually. They have their targets and John McGinn needs to score goals like he did today."
McGinn highlighted the importance of the team's response after a disappointing result in their previous match. "It was important. It was a poor result the other night. We wanted to show a reaction, maybe the start of another 11-game winning run we don't know," he remarked, showcasing the squad's resilient mentality.
The victory and McGinn's unique celebration provided a memorable moment for Villa supporters, blending on-pitch success with the team's internal camaraderie and their manager's detailed tactical demands.
