Emery Sets Sights on Top Eight Finish
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery emphasized that the team’s main focus is to climb to the top of the standings, drawing from past experiences in the Conference League and Champions League. He stressed the importance of handling various challenges throughout the process. While the goal is to win every game, they recently suffered a loss. Emery noted that there’s always an opponent ahead, and the upcoming match is crucial for securing three points to remain in contention for the top eight spots and bypass the playoffs. He acknowledged the difficulty, reflecting on the recent defeat to Go Ahead Eagles and the need for improvements. Playing at home will change the dynamics, and the primary aim is to triumph in the next game while ensuring at least a top-eight position.
Villa’s Up-and-Down Campaign So Far
Aston Villa faced a tough beginning to their season but secured their first victory in the Europa League with a 1-0 home win against Bologna on September 25. This success sparked a streak of five consecutive wins, which came to an end against Go Ahead Eagles in their most recent Europa League match. The team bounced back with a victory over Manchester City at home, but then experienced their fifth loss of the season—out of 14 total matches—against Liverpool in the latest outing. Head coach Unai Emery is looking to steer the squad back on track in their upcoming fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park this Thursday.
McGinn Approaches Key Milestone Following Contract Renewal
At 13:44 GMT, it was revealed that John McGinn is on the verge of his 300th appearance for Aston Villa this Thursday, making him the 36th player in the club’s 151-year legacy to achieve this feat. The announcement came alongside news that the Villa skipper, who transferred from Hibernian for about £2.5 million in 2018, has inked a new deal extending his tenure to a decade. In his time with the club, he has netted 33 goals and delivered 41 assists.
Details of McGinn’s Extended Stay at Villa
Aston Villa’s captain, John McGinn, has committed to a fresh contract that ties him to the club through 2028. The Scottish midfielder has tallied 33 goals across 299 games for Villa. This extension comes shortly after right-back Matty Cash renewed his allegiance to the Premier League outfit, with the Polish international agreeing to a four-year deal last month.
