John McGinn has etched his name into Aston Villa folklore equalling a 44 year old European record with a goal that sent his side into the Europa League quarter finals .
The Scotland international, idolised at Hibs and now adored in Birmingham, scored his ninth European goal for Villa against Lille on Thursday night . That puts him level with 1982 European Cup winning hero Peter Withe at the top of the club’s all time European scoring charts .
THE GOAL
Villa were already 1-0 up on the night (2-0 on aggregate) when McGinn struck. Emiliano Martinez, spotting the opportunity after a Lille corner, pinged a quick pass to Jadon Sancho. The winger drove forward, his low cross found McGinn, and the captain passed the ball into the right hand corner with his left foot.
“I was giving him grief before the game, telling him to get in the box,” McGinn joked afterwards. “Great ball from Emi, great goal, and it let us relax after that.”
Sancho was even more glowing: “We’ve missed him a lot. He’s a great guy to be around. He brings a lot of energy into the changing room. We’re so happy to have him back.”
THE COMEBACK
McGinn had been sidelined with a knee injury since January . Thursday was his first start at Villa Park since returning, and he was given a standing ovation when replaced in the 74th minute.
For a player who delivered the Scottish Cup to Hibs in 2016, these moments are familiar. For Villa fans, he’s become a legend in his own right.
THE SCOTLAND SHOWDOWN
The victory sets up a mouth watering Europa League quarter final, McGinn’s Villa against Bologna, captained by his Scotland team mate Lewis Ferguson .
Ferguson’s side produced a seven goal thriller in Rome to knock out Roma, emerging 4-3 winners after extra time . Two Scots, both captains, going head to head for a place in the semi finals.
THE VERDICT
McGinn is now a Villa legend. A European record to his name. A quarter final against a fellow Scot to come. And a Premier League top four battle still raging.
Not bad for a boy from the Scottish Cup winning Hibs side of 2016.
