PETER SCHMEICHEL ISSUES VERDICT ON JOHN MCGINN DISPLAY FOR ASTON VILLA VS BRIGHTON
Peter Schmeichel believes John McGinn could play for ‘any top team’ after seeing the Aston Villa midfielder produce a strong performance against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 28-year-old especially caught Schmeichel’s eye with his role in Ollie Watkins scoring on 14 minutes. McGinn stood out on Saturday afternoon with his ability to create space and tee Matty Cash for an easy assist. Watkins met the full-back’s cross to score from six yards out
Boubacar Kamara moved possession to McGinn, despite Billy Gilmour lurking over the Aston Villa captain’s shoulder. Yet pressure from his Scotland teammate would not distract McGinn as he shrugged off Gilmour. He then ensured Pervis Estupinan did not close down the space.
McGinn impressed Schmeichel as As
ton Villa hosted Brighton
A quick shimmy onto his left boot let McGinn move the ball away from Estupinan before the 56-cap technician spotted Cash’s run. His pass into the right-back was weighted perfectly for Cash to play a first-time cross along the six-yard line for Watkins to score under the bar.
Schmeichel adored McGinn’s movement and role in Watkins’ goal to put Aston Villa in front at home to Brighton. Even if the Manchester United legend feels the Glasgow-born star does not get the recognition he deserves. Saturday marked McGinn’s 194th outing for Aston Villa.
“People don’t talk about him as a top player but he’d do a job for any top team,” Schmeichel told Premier League productions (30/09, 13:31). “Look at how he creates that space for himself. And all Cash has to do after that pass is [to] cross the ball and it’s a goal.”
Even Klopp admires what McGinn off
Aston Villa certainly recognise what McGinn offers after giving the midfielder a new contract to 2027 in June. He also repaid the decision with one goal through 10 games before the visit of Brighton to Birmingham. The midfielder helped to claim a 4-0 win over Everton in August.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also recognises what McGinn is capable of. The German was full of praise earlier in September as he called the Scot a ‘super-smart’ player. Manchester United have also shown an interest in signing the midfielder from the Villans in recent years.
ers the Villans’ midfield
