Aston Villa captain John McGinn has revealed that any talk of a potential Premier League title challenge has been strictly banned within the club's Bodymoor Heath training complex.
Flying under the radar
The Scottish midfielder insists that Unai Emery's squad performs at its peak when operating away from the spotlight, a situation he believes their inconsistent start to the season helped to create. This approach comes despite the team's remarkable form, which has seen them win ten consecutive matches across all competitions.
Their latest victory was a significant 2-1 win against Manchester United last weekend. The team now prepares to face Chelsea this Saturday, aiming for an eighth straight league win. Should they succeed, it would mark their best top-flight winning sequence in over a century, surpassing a run of seven. The last time Villa achieved more was between October and December 1910, when they strung together nine consecutive victories.
Focus on the fixtures, not the hype
Currently sitting just three points behind league leaders Arsenal, Villa face a pivotal week. After the trip to Stamford Bridge, they return to London on December 30 to play Arsenal in a clash that could dramatically shape the upper reaches of the table.
McGinn, however, is adamant that the squad is not engaging with the growing external chatter about their championship credentials. "We're in this mode where the games keep coming and we are sneaking a few wins and deserving other wins," he told Sky Sports. "There's some world class teams in this league... We're not allowed to talk about it, we won't talk about it and we shouldn't."
He recalled a similar situation from a few seasons ago when Villa were close to the summit at Christmas but faltered, drawing with Sheffield United. He contrasts that with the current campaign's narrative, which began with the team being "written off, sort of down and out." McGinn admits there were even internal doubts, making the subsequent resurgence all the more satisfying.
Finding form and resilience
When pressed on the catalyst for Villa's stunning turnaround, McGinn pointed to a combination of rediscovered resilience and key players hitting top form. "We started really poor and couldn't find a goal," he explained. "We got closer and closer and have now found our form and some resilience. We have been behind so many times and we come back."
He jokingly attributed part of the improvement to teammate Morgan Rogers' shooting, suggesting his efforts are now dipping under the bar rather than over it. On a serious note, he highlighted that a disruptive start to the season was overcome as the squad's "top players" began to perform consistently.
McGinn concluded by emphasising the collective mindset, stating this is one of the best Villa sides he has been part of, but one determined to keep its head down and continue its work quietly, with all title discussions firmly off the agenda.
