OPINION
Both the fans and players at Aston Villa might not have realised it at the time but their victory against Millwall on Monday afternoon has secured them a playoff place for the second successive year.
The Villans’ tenth win in a row, coupled with Middlesbrough and Bristol City failing to take all three points themselves, means that it is now mathematically impossible for them to slip out the top six, leaving Dean Smith’s men with the opportunity to right the wrongs of a year ago.
With games against high flyers Leeds United and Norwich City left for Villa, Smith will no doubt be relieved that they have got over the line in terms of sealing a top six spot, for there is no guarantee they will pick up another point this season with such tough fixtures.
It could also give the manager the chance to give some of his players a much needed breather ahead of the two – potentially three – most important games of their season and there is no one who needs to be left out more than John McGinn.
It is not because the Scottish midfielder, who left talkSPORT host Darren Gough drooling over his “magnificent” performances this season, looks tired or is out of form. Instead it is his disciplinary record, with 13 yellow cards in the Championship, which is the problem.
Another two bookings would see him suspended for three games – a nightmare scenario for Villa in the playoffs in the hunt for a Premier League return – so with these dead rubber fixtures coming up it makes sense for Smith to axe him.
Losing McGinn would be nearly, if not as bad as losing Jack Grealish would be – the summer signing bringing the best out of his teammates and providing the quality which has got the club sitting where they are now.
See him suspended and Villa’s hopes could well go up in smoke in the playoffs – Smith has an easy decision to make.