The Villa skipper has been at the club since their days in the Championship.
John McGinn has revealed seeing friends such as Andy Robertson and Jack Grealish win European trophies gave him a burning desire to lift one himself.
John McGinn leads the celebrationsplaceholder image
John McGinn leads the celebrations | PA
The Villa skipper who netted twice in the Europa League semi-final played an instrumental role in their 3-0 win over Freiburg in Istanbul - as a 30 year wait for a trophy came to an end.
He played a hand in the third goal and led from the front as Villa cruised to victory - with the current crop emulating the heroes of 1982.
McGinn, who signed for Villa from Hibernian and has been key in their rapid rise, insisted ‘its my turn’, having seen some of his friends get their hands on European honours.
“It means a lot,” he said.
“As a kid growing up, I can remember, it wasn’t a great night for Celtic, but that night in Seville in 2003, I thought ‘wow, that’s special’.
“I was lucky enough to go to the 2007 UEFA Cup final at Hampden, so to be here in 2026 as captain of Aston Villa is incredible.
“It’s the proudest moment and night of my career so far.
“I’m going to try and enjoy it. I like to party sometimes but tonight I’ll try and take it easy, soak it all in.
“I think, for me, being 31, my first European final, I watched my mates win trophies, Andy Robertson and Jack Grealish, so it’s my turn tonight. Maybe not the big one they’ve won.
“But, to me, it’s so, so special and I’ll cherish every minute.”
John McGinn lifts the trophyplaceholder image
John McGinn lifts the trophy | PA
McGinn, along with both Tyrone Mings and Tammy Abraham, became the first players in history to win both the Championship play-off final and Europa League with the same club.
And after the game he played tribute to Villa’s owners, who took over the club in the Championship, for having the vision to take Villa to European glory.
He added: “What we’ve been through as a club. This club was close to being in a right bad way seven years ago.
“Nassef (Sawiris) and Wes (Edens) bought the club over and they had one remit – to get the club back to the Premier League and then try and get it to compete to the levels it had before.
“Tonight was just everything we have built coming together.
“And the pride I felt at 3-0 with 10 minutes to go, thinking we’re European champions, was something I can’t even describe.”
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