John McGinn shares exclusively that Aston Villa’s midfielder praises Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio as ‘brilliant’ players who have displayed no signs of ‘ego.’

**McGinn Hails New Villa Signings: ‘No Ego, Just Hard Work’**

Aston Villa’s John McGinn has heaped praise on the club’s new signings—Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, and Donyell Malen—who have made a significant impact since their arrival in the January transfer window. The trio has provided a much-needed boost to Villa’s ambitions as they prepare to face Club Brugge in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

The match, set to take place on Tuesday, will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Villa will be looking to avenge their previous 1-0 defeat to the Belgian side during the league phase last November. The new attacking options are expected to play a crucial role in their quest for victory.

“They’ve been a breath of fresh air,” McGinn remarked to TNT Sports. “Three really good guys who come with big reputations, but they haven’t shown any ego. They’re low maintenance and work hard to get their careers back on track. They weren’t playing much at their previous clubs, so we can offer them a platform to thrive and be happy. In return, we just want them to be good teammates, work hard, and showcase their quality. They’ve been brilliant.”

In a press conference on Monday, McGinn reiterated the positive atmosphere created by the new signings. “There’s no big egos—at least, we haven’t seen any yet,” he said. “They’ve fitted in nicely, and that’s important for our team dynamic.”

As Villa gears up for the challenge against Club Brugge, McGinn is acutely aware of the threat posed by their opponents, who have impressed in this season’s Champions League. “We know the opportunity we have in front of us: a very difficult chance to reach the quarter-finals in Europe’s elite competition,” he stated. “We won’t take it for granted. The last time we played here, we weren’t good enough and deserved to lose. We know what we need to change that.”

McGinn also acknowledged the psychological aspect of facing Brugge again. “They’ll be confident, thinking they can beat Aston Villa. At this stage, you’re always up against teams that have earned their place here. We have a bit of sporting revenge to seek, and we need to rectify what was a poor performance last time.”

Villa’s experience in European competitions, having reached the UEFA Conference League semi-finals last season, could prove invaluable. “Maybe we were a bit inexperienced in the semi-final last year, going gung-ho in the first leg, which wasn’t the manager’s plan,” McGinn reflected. “That experience should help us in the two-legged ties ahead.”

He added, “The game won’t be won tomorrow night, but we need to be solid at the back and aim for a clean sheet. We know we can be dangerous on the counter. We’re a very different team now compared to the one Brugge faced a few months ago, but they’ve improved as well.”

Reflecting on his journey from the Championship to the Champions League, McGinn expressed his amazement. “It’s mad. When you’re in it—travelling, playing, focusing on the next game—you don’t take a step back to reflect. But it’s incredible. Myself, Tyrone Mings, Jacob Ramsey, and many staff members have been on this journey together. We’ve been fortunate to experience this crazy ride, and hopefully, it continues with more special nights and success.”

**Emery Sets Sights on Champions League Glory**

Villa manager Unai Emery has also acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead. “The Champions League is something amazing for the supporters and the club,” he told TNT Sports. “Aston Villa has a rich history, including their remarkable European Cup win in 1982. To replicate that success is our biggest challenge this year.”

Emery praised Club Brugge’s performances in the competition, noting their confidence and ability to compete at a high level. “They believe in themselves, and when you analyse their games, you can see their confidence,” he said. “They’ve had some impressive results, and they deserve to be here. Tomorrow will be very difficult, and I believe they are performing better now than in our last match against them.”

**Match Details**

Aston Villa will face Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Tuesday, March 4, with kick-off scheduled for 17:45 UK time. Fans can catch the action live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 17:00.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a comprehensive line-up of channels and digital options for viewers.