“When he’s playing” – Emery reveal Villa SHOCKING quality possessed by underappreciated Star after Chelsea draw.
The Villa goals came courtesy of a Marc Cucurella own goal and a second goal in as many matches from Morgan Rogers.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez came off at half-time with an injury that presents a worry for Unai Emery, although he would already have missed Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos through suspension.
After the half, Chelsea managed to fight back and goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher saw the game finish level.
Chelsea thought they had completed the comeback through Axel Disasi in the 96th-minute but an alleged foul on Diego Carlos in the build-up saw the goal chalked off following a VAR review.
Whilst Emery will be frustrated at the manner in which his side gave up the three points, there were elements of the performance he was pleased with.
Unai Emery hails ‘Super John McGinn’
John McGinn is Villa’s captain and so often sets the standard for his side.
Given the tactical flexibility with which Emery sets up his midfield, McGinn crops up in a number of different positions.
He has operated as a conventional central midfield player, a winger and an attacking midfielder over the course of the season and has done so with aplomb as he continues to be one of Villa’s most reliable performers.
Emery is clearly a huge fan of his captain and speaking after the game the Spanish coach cited what makes McGinn so important.
As reported by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell on ‘X’, Emery said post-match: “When he’s playing Super John McGinn, he is playing as an 8, a No 10 or a winger.”
“When he’s not playing as Super John McGinn, he is playing as an 8, No 10 or a winger. But his energy is also there and his attitude is always perfect in different positions.”
This highlights the nature of the 29-year-old Scotland international who, regardless of performance, always gives everything for his team.
McGinn’s game in numbers v Chelsea
McGinn started against Chelsea in the number ten role, playing off Ollie Watkins.
However, with Youri Tielemans going off injured in the first-half, the Villa captain dropped back into the double pivot alongside Douglas Luiz.
This move saw Moussa Diaby come on at left midfield and Rogers shifting into McGinn’s previous central attacking role.
It was a solid performance from McGinn despite the collective display not one of Villa’s finer showings.
According to Sofascore, McGinn had 28 touches and completed 17 passes against Chelsea, with one of these passes being classed as ‘key’.
Out of possession he won five out of his eight duels – further evidencing his battling nature – and was fouled three times to relieve pressure from his side.
Whilst this display may seem unremarkable on the face of it, McGinn was important in making sure Villa did not end up coming away from this game with nothing.
