The joy of John McGinn
Long read about Villa's charismatic captain
John McGinn has gone from the Meatball of St Mirren to the heartbeat of Aston Villa. He’s leaner, lasting longer in games, more judicious in his decision-making, more precise in his passing and finishing, yet without losing the risk-taking, passion and fun that has always made him such a popular player. He really is super, John McGinn.
In a sport of high stakes and tension, McGinn’s joy in playing the sport should be cherished even more. In an industry which takes itself very seriously, McGinn brings sunshine and laughter. All interviews and conversations with or about McGinn come back to his character. He’s popular with staff, team-mates and supporters because of his upbeat persona.
He’s quick to laugh and quick to take the mickey out of himself. Close friends with Jack Grealish during the poster boy’s time at Villa, McGinn famously remarked that looks-wise the pair were “12 out of 20”. He’d then add that Grealish would be “10” and McGinn himself “two”.
People still talk about the size of McGinn’s rear, to put it politely, and he himself told the Telegraph in 2022 that “I don’t think anyone has a backside the size of me”. Eden Hazard? One admirer even created an X account celebrating Hazard’s glutes. Sir Kenny Dalglish was the master at using his backside to back into markers, shield the ball, and he’s the greatest player Scotland ever produced. As a Celtic fan and Scotland international, McGinn will doubtless appreciate the comparison.
Never mind the buttocks, far greater appraisals are flowing for McGinn. In the merry reflections of his man-of-the-match performance against Nottingham Forest, the greatest compliment paid by Villa fans came from those saying McGinn stands alongside club legends like Peter Withe, Gordon Cowans, Paul McGrath and Gary Shaw. One even compared McGinn’s captain’s influence to Dennis Mortimer’s in 1982. McGinn lifting a European trophy, following Mortimer, would be one of the finest sights. Different eras, different competitions, different personalities, but there are still many echoes such as total commitment to the Villa.