Some Aston Villa fans have been calling for John McGinn to ‘hurry up’ and make a swift return to action for the Villans as reports suggest that he is nearing a comeback from the fractured ankle that has kept him out of action since the 21st of December.
McGinn suffered his injury in the early stages of Villa’s 3-1 loss to Southampton on the 21st of December. The Scottish international was forced off the pitch after just eight minutes of play, being replaced by Marvelous Nakamba. McGinn’s injury was soon confirmed to be a fractured ankle, with initial reports suggesting that the 25-year-old “could be out for up to three months”.
The Telegraph’s John Percy recently reported that the Aston Villa midfielder is “targeting the trip to Newcastle” which is set to take place on the 21st of March as a return date. That game will take place exactly three months to the date after the 25-year-old’s injury initially occurred on the 21st of December.
According to WhoScored.com, McGinn has missed 13 Aston Villa games so far, in all competitions, due to his ankle injury, losing seven of their 13 games following their 3-1 loss to the Saints on the 21st of December.
Some Villa fans have reacted impatiently to the news that McGinn may be returning on the 21st of March, sharing their desire to see the midfielder return to action as soon as possible on social media following the announcement of his expected return date. Read the social media posts of some Villa fans to the latest update on McGinn’s return from injury in the tweets below.
Will John McGinn's return help Aston Villa to avoid relegation?YES, MCGINN'S RETURN WILL GIVE VILLA THE BOOST NEEDED TO SURVIVE
NO, VILLA WILL NOT SURVIVE WITH OR WITHOUT MCGINN
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John McGinn is set to return from injury later this month and is targeting the trip to Newcastle on March 21st as a potential comeback date. [john percy] #avfc
— villareport (@villareport) March 2, 2020
hurry up 21st of march
— wigwickwesley ?? (@mastermoraess) March 2, 2020
Hurry up mcginn
— Robbie Whelan (@RobbieWhelan3) March 2, 2020
Can’t come back soon enough. Since SJM picked up his injury we have really missed his tenacity in midfield.
— Jamie Edwards (@JamieEd13529022) March 3, 2020
Is he our Jack of last season? Hope so!
— floozy c (@floozyc) March 3, 2020
Won’t be surprised if he is on the bench for Chelsea
— Captain Jack. (@CJ7891234) March 2, 2020
Nah before that I reckon
— PRICEY (@Danielp39528504) March 2, 2020
On the bench against Chelsea?
— john sweeney (@melton119) March 3, 2020
Get him in for Chelsea at home at least. If his comeback is in a game at home id fancy us lifting to the occasion
— Jordo93 (@Jordo931) March 3, 2020
What do we think?
Having not featured for Villa since their game versus Southampton on the 21st of December, McGinn’s injury has forced him to miss each of Villa’s last nine Premier League fixtures. The Villans have lost five of their nine Premier League games in that time. This gives them a loss percentage of 0.56% over their last nine Premier League games.
Prior to their last nine games, Villa had lost 11 of their first 18 Premier League games this season, with McGinn featuring in all 18 of them up until his injury versus Southampton. Villa’s loss percentage during that time was actually even higher than it has been over the last nine games, with 11 losses in 18 games giving them a loss percentage of 0.61%.
Villa also sat in the relegation zone after they earned just 15 points from their first 18 Premier League games. Villa had earned a total of 0.83 points per game in their first 18 games this season. In the nine games since then, Villa have earned an additional 10 points, taking their total for the season up to 25 points. This means that Villa have earned a total of 1.11 points per game in the nine games since McGinn’s injury.
McGinn, who is valued at £18 million (as per Transfermarkt), may have been one of Villa’s best players this season. The 25-year-old has earned an average overall rating of 7.26 for his 18 Premier League appearances this season, according to WhoScored.com. This makes him Villa’s second highest-rated player this season according to the website, trailing only Jack Grealish. However, Villa have been struggling with and without him during the 2019/20 campaign. His return may boost Villa’s chances in the relegation battle, however, they may still struggle to survive.