If you were scripting a Hollywood underdog story, Aston Villa’s journey since 2018 would be an absolute blockbuster. The club was on its knees, bruised, battered, and staring into the financial abyss after losing the Championship Playoff Final to Fulham. Promotion had been gambled upon, and the bet had spectacularly backfired. Within weeks, HMRC was breathing down Villa’s neck with a winding-up order, and the future of the club hung in the balance.
Enter Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris. The billionaire duo swooped in during the summer, investing in 55% of the club (before later taking full control) and bringing a sense of stability back to Villa Park. Steve Bruce remained in charge, tasked with leading the charge for another shot at promotion. The club still needed reinforcements, though, and one of the most important signings in its modern history was about to arrive.
The John McGinn Effect
Villa were battling Celtic for Hibernian’s tenacious midfielder John McGinn. Money was tight, but Villa scraped together the funds to bring him to Birmingham. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact. While the team started the season sluggishly, McGinn was a bright spark. His stunning volley against Sheffield Wednesday, a goal that still looks as good today as it did then, offered a glimpse of what was to come.
Despite McGinn’s efforts, Villa found themselves floundering in mid-table. With promotion looking like a distant dream, the owners made the call to part ways with Bruce. Say what you like about Bruce’s football, but he had steadied a club that was at risk of plummeting into League One. His departure paved the way for a new era.
Dean Smith and the Road to the Premier League
If Villa were going to rebuild, who better to lead them than a lifelong fan? Dean Smith arrived from Brentford, and the transformation was almost immediate. The football was slick, the results improved, and momentum was building. Then, something special happened: a 10-game winning streak. It propelled Villa into the playoffs, and McGinn was at the heart of it all.
His defining moment? March 2019, away at Nottingham Forest. Villa fell behind early, but McGinn wasn’t having it. He took control, scored twice, and dragged the team to a 3-1 victory. That summed up his influence perfectly, relentless energy, big performances in big moments.
And so, Villa arrived at Wembley once again. This time, they wouldn’t falter. A 2-1 win over Derby secured their return to the Premier League, and McGinn had scored the decisive second goal.
Premier League Life: Survival, Settling, and a Statement Victory
The biggest question: Could McGinn handle the Premier League? Answer: Absolutely. The first season was a slog, with a flurry of new signings trying to bed in. It came down to the final four games, where Villa somehow clawed their way to safety. There was even a fortunate goal-line decision along the way (if you know, you know).
The following season, Villa were a different beast. Settled, more confident, and with McGinn still pulling the strings in midfield, they cemented their place as a mid-table side. The campaign included that extraordinary 7-2 demolition of Liverpool, in which McGinn chipped in with a goal. Villa were back on the map.
Managerial Change and the Unai Emery Effect
The 2021/22 season saw Villa stall, and Dean Smith, despite his immense contributions, was replaced. Enter Steven Gerrard. On paper, it looked an exciting appointment. In reality, it was a disaster. The football was uninspiring, results nosedived, and Villa found themselves back in a relegation scrap.
The owners acted quickly, and in November 2022, Unai Emery arrived. Villa were 14th at the time, just three points above the relegation zone. His first game? A 3-1 win over Manchester United, their first home league victory against United since 1995. McGinn was pivotal, setting the tone for what was to come.
Under Emery, Villa won 15 of their remaining league games to finish 7th and secure European football for the first time in over a decade. McGinn, now club captain, was at the heart of everything.
Breaking More Ceilings
The 2023/24 season saw Villa go one step further, finishing 4th and qualifying for the Champions League. Simultaneously, they reached the Conference League semi-finals, proving they could juggle multiple competitions. Once again, McGinn was irreplaceable.
Champions League Nights and More to Come
Fast forward to the present, and Villa are battling on multiple fronts. Champions League nights at Villa Park have returned, and McGinn was instrumental in their landmark 1-0 win over Bayern Munich. Domestically, they sit just two points off a likely fifth-place Champions League qualification spot. They’ve also got an FA Cup quarter-final against Preston, with Wembley within reach.
McGinn’s influence? Still growing. Every time the challenge gets harder, he raises his game. From the Championship to the Premier League, then European nights against Juventus and Bayern, and now a Champions League quarter-final against PSG. And let’s be honest, if you were to bet against Villa pulling off another shock, Ron Saunders’ famous words might ring in your ears: “Do you want to bet against us?”
The McGinn Legacy
If Villa win a major trophy in the next year, McGinn will go down as one of their greatest-ever players. His ability to rise to every level of the game is remarkable. Even his signature move, the McGinn arse-shield, has been effective at every stage, from the Championship to the Champions League.
For all the flair and finesse in football, sometimes a good old-fashioned bit of strength does the job just as well. Juventus couldn’t handle it. Bayern couldn’t handle it. Will PSG? We’re about to find out.