OPINION
Aston Villa produced their finest performance of the season as they tore apart Derby County in a thrilling 3-0 victory on Saturday.
Dean Smith’s side were faultless as they crushed the bewildered Rams at Pride Park, with goals from John McGinn, Tammy Abraham and Conor Hourihane sealing the deal for the visitors.
It was fitting that Villa’s two central midfielders bookended the scoring because they were phenomenal again on Saturday.
McGinn and Hourihane have developed a partnership in the middle of the pitch that is up there with the best duos in the Championship. The two compliment each other perfectly and there’s no doubt that they spur each other on to improved performances.
McGinn has been a revelation since joining the club from Aberdeen this summer and that was evident once again against Frank Lampard’s side.
He opened the scoring with a smart header and then set up Abraham for the second. He was everywhere on Saturday and fully deserved the goal he scored.
His industry compliments Hourihane’s technical brilliance perfectly. The Republic of Ireland international has excelled in a deeper role of late and he’s really rounded into form.
The two of them are at the top of their game at the moment and when they are at their best it’s difficult for anyone to live with Villa.
There’s no doubt that Smith’s arrival has been good for them both, but they were playing fine football under Steve Bruce as well.
They are, quite simply, one of the finest central midfield duos in the second tier, and Aston Villa will go very close to promotion this campaign if they are at their best throughout.