Aston Villa defender Matty Cash has declared that captain John McGinn deserves recognition as one of the Premier League's finest midfielders. The two players have been teammates for six years, evolving together under the guidance of manager Unai Emery.
McGinn's Journey at Aston Villa
McGinn, the club's longest-serving player, joined Aston Villa in 2018 under Steve Bruce. He has been instrumental in the team's remarkable ascent from the Championship to Champions League qualification. Cash and McGinn are expected to start in Wednesday's Europa League final, which may be the last chance for this core group to secure silverware together. Other key players from the Dean Smith era, including Emi Martinez, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, and Ollie Watkins, have also contributed significantly to the club's progress.
Cash's Praise for McGinn
Cash, enjoying one of his most consistent seasons, believes McGinn is likely to win the Player of the Season award. "He's probably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, consistently," Cash said. "Just how he progressed both on and off the pitch, and he's quite underrated, to be fair."
Cash highlighted McGinn's leadership qualities: "He's like a silent leader on the pitch. He is not really massively vocal, but with the way he goes about his performances and gives us so much energy, he just gives the team a lift." McGinn's influence extends beyond matches, as he is highly respected around the training ground.
A Fitting Captain
Cash added: "He's very good in terms of how he is with the players. He's a fantastic captain, and there's no one really who deserves it more than him at this club. He's one of the longest-serving players, so I think for him, a trophy is one thing to have." The Europa League final represents a pivotal moment for McGinn and Aston Villa as they aim to cap their remarkable journey with silverware.
