Unai Emery expresses what every Aston Villa supporter feels about stunning player following win against Fulham.
After a week or so to forget, with the defeat against Manchester United and then the major injuries to more key players, this 2-1 win at Craven Cottage just eased the pain for everyone.
It was a deserved victory for the Aston Villa players, with that defensive lapse from Clement Lenglet and Emiliano Martinez resulting in Fulham scoring and making the tie more tense than it should have been.
During the game itself, Unai Emery lauded John McGinn’s display and how he ‘responds very well’ when the game needs something extra, as he told BBC Sport.
Once again, the Aston Villa captain led by example and produced another outstanding display in the middle of the park.
More of these are going to be needed, especially from a defensive standpoint because Boubacar Kamara won’t kick a ball again this season.
Regardless of what happens on the pitch, that will still remain a huge blow, not forgetting that the likes of Diego Carlos and Ezri Konsa are also sidelined.
But, as Unai Emery alluded to, John McGinn is proving to be one of the ‘leaders’ on the field of play and outside of the pitch.
Aston Villa beat Fulham at Craven Cottage
“John McGinn’s spirit is amazing, his qualities as well,” said Emery. “When the match needed something more, he responded very well, because he is an experienced player and it’s something he is playing for something higher in his career, like to be in the top seven, top five and top four.
