Unai Emery, the Aston Villa boss, has lauded John McGinn's exceptional contribution to the team, particularly highlighting his ability to rise to the occasion during "difficult moments". Emery's remarks came after Villa's 2-0 victory against Feyenoord in Rotterdam in Europa League, a match where McGinn sealed the win with a goal, marking his third consecutive game with a goal.

Emery emphasized that McGinn's role as captain extends beyond tactical and individual contributions. He noted that McGinn plays with immense passion and consistently delivers when the team needs him most. "He is playing with a lot of emotions," Emery told TNT Sports. "He responds in a difficult moment. He is a player very important in the dressing room and he is always happy and always smiling. When we need more than tactical and individual performances, he is always trying to get positive energy".

The match against Feyenoord saw Villa facing considerable pressure, especially in the first half, with the Dutch side creating numerous scoring opportunities. However, Villa's stand-in goalkeeper, Marco Bizot, who replaced the injured Emi Martinez, made crucial saves to keep Feyenoord at bay. Emery acknowledged Bizot's outstanding performance, praising his professionalism and acceptance of his role within the team.

Emery also acknowledged the absence of six players from the squad and praised the team's response to these challenges. Villa secured back-to-back Europa League wins and followed up their victory over Bologna with their first Premier League win of the season against Fulham. McGinn also lauded Aston Villa's performance after their Premier League victory against Fulham. McGinn's goal put Villa ahead, contributing to the 3-1 triumph at Villa Park. He admitted to feeling frustrated by the season's difficult start but sensed a turning point with consecutive wins.

McGinn's journey with Aston Villa began in 2018, and he quickly became a fan favorite due to his energetic and committed style of play. In July 2022, he was appointed captain. McGinn signed a new contract in June 2023 after captaining Villa to a seventh-place finish in the 2022/23 season, which secured them a place in Europe.

McGinn has made over 250 appearances for the club. He played in 53 games during the 2023/24 season, as Villa reached the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals and secured a top-four Premier League finish for the first time since 1995/96, earning them a spot in the Champions League. McGinn scored his first Champions League goal against Bologna in October 2024.

McGinn's versatility and adaptability have also been crucial for Aston Villa. He has expressed his willingness to fill in wherever needed, including in a deeper midfield role. He also joked about his "love-hate" relationship with Unai Emery. McGinn acknowledged that Emery is demanding but expressed gratitude for the manager's belief in him, which helped revive his Villa career. He also appreciates learning from Emery's Spanish style of football.