Journalist Matt Maher has claimed that midfielder John McGinn has become the new ‘heartbeat’ of the current Aston Villa team.
In the past, Jack Grealish was very much seen as the key man for the Villans – indeed, he too had been referred to as the ‘beating heart’ of the club.
However, since their former captain moved to Manchester City in the summer, Maher has claimed that McGinn has taken over the mantle as the team’s new talisman.
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While speaking on the E&S Villa podcast, the football writer claimed that he believes the Scottish international ‘very much typifies’ Dean Smith’s current squad.
He explained himself, saying: “But McGinn has very much become, or is very much becoming, the new heartbeat of this team.”
He went on to state that Jack Grealish was formerly considered ‘the soul and heartbeat of Villa’, before concluding: “But I feel that McGinn is kind of taking that on, [he] very much typifies the values and the dynamism of this team.”
TIF Thoughts on John McGinn and Aston Villa…
McGinn is certainly one of Smith’s most trusted players – he has started all but one Premier League game so far this season, and it was a similar story last campaign as he played in 37 of 38 league matches.
The 26-year-old recently drew praise for the role he played in the club’s impressive 1-0 away win against Manchester United, and if results as big as that keep coming, the Villa fans will fast forget about Grealish.
In the meantime, though, Villa and McGinn will turn their attention to London as they travel to face Tottenham Hotspur in what could be a tricky Premier League outing.
In other news: ‘Dean Smith still doesn’t say’ – Gregg Evans reveals ‘reason’ for key Villa change