Exclusive: Prior to his resurgence under the exceptional guidance of Unai Emery, John McGinn believed his time at Aston Villa had reached its conclusion.

John McGinn has revealed that he had doubts about his future at Aston Villa before Unai Emery’s arrival. The midfielder had fallen out of form and was even considering looking for other clubs. However, Emery’s appointment not only transformed Villa’s fortunes, but also rejuvenated McGinn’s career.

Since Emery took charge in October 2022, McGinn has been a key figure for Villa. The Scotland international has been influential in their impressive campaign, as they currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, level on points with Manchester City and Arsenal.

Reflecting on his initial conversations with Emery, McGinn admitted that he was unsure about his role in the team. However, the manager’s attention to detail and understanding of his abilities gave him hope. Emery analyzed McGinn’s previous performances and questioned why he was not replicating his success with Scotland at Villa.

McGinn credited Scotland manager Steve Clarke for playing him in a more advanced position, which resulted in him scoring goals. Emery took note of this and discussed potential positions with McGinn, ultimately finding a role that suited him. The midfielder was impressed by Emery’s approach and felt optimistic about his chances of playing.

Since then, McGinn has become a regular starter for Villa and has played in every Premier League game this season. He has formed a strong partnership with striker Ollie Watkins, with the duo combining effectively to create scoring opportunities.

Villa will be looking to bounce back from consecutive draws when they face Newcastle on Tuesday evening. McGinn will be hoping to continue his productive partnership with Watkins and contribute to Villa’s title challenge.

Fans can watch the Aston Villa vs Newcastle match live on TNT Sports 1 and ultimate. The coverage begins at 19:30, with kick-off scheduled for 20:15. TNT Sports is available on various TV platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. To find local establishments showing TNT Sports, fans can use the Pub Finder tool.