Birmingham, March 12: Aston Villa’s head coach Unai Emery has confirmed that club captain John McGinn could return to the squad for the Premier League match against Manchester United this Sunday. McGinn has been sidelined for several weeks due to a knee injury.
McGinn sustained the injury during a narrow 1-0 defeat to Everton in January. Prior to this setback, the Scottish midfielder had been a consistent presence in Villa’s Premier League campaign, playing in every league match and playing a crucial role in the team’s midfield.
Ahead of Villa’s UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg against Lille, Emery announced that McGinn has returned to training and traveled with the squad to France, raising hopes for his swift return.
Emery stated, “He is here with the team in Lille. Every player is important for us. Of course, as our captain, he brings something extra both on and off the pitch. We are very happy that he is back with the squad and training again.”
The Spanish tactician emphasized that the club will manage McGinn’s return carefully. However, he did not rule out the possibility of the midfielder participating in upcoming matches.
He added, “We want him to regain his rhythm as soon as possible. He is available and can play, perhaps starting the match or coming on later.”
McGinn’s return could provide a much-needed boost for Villa, who have struggled for consistency in his absence, winning only two matches in the Premier League since his injury.
Aston Villa faces a challenging schedule ahead, with crucial fixtures in both the Premier League and UEFA Europa League. With hopes for their captain’s return, Emery will be looking for McGinn’s presence to stabilize the team’s performance and provide the necessary momentum for the tough away match against Manchester United this weekend.
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