Aston Villa
(Credit: Imago)
Keith Hackett
Thu 20 March 2025 21:40, UK
Aston Villa star John McGinn was at the heart of the action as Scotland picked up a huge win against Greece on Thursday evening.
The Scots travelled to Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League Play Off clash, with Scott McTominay scoring the winner from the spot.
McGinn was everywhere for Steve Clarke, and was involved in a contentious incident, at first glance, as the Villa skipper brought down Kostas Tsimikas in the box.
VAR checked the incident, with replays showing that the Liverpool defender made contact first, as it finished 1-0 ahead of the Hampden Leg return.
Aston Villa
John McGinn (Credit: Imago)
McGinn in VAR drama with Scotland
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Keith Hackett insisted there was no foul by McGinn and praised all of the officials involved.
The ex-FIFA referee and former PGMOL admitted that it was the correct procedure to review any possible foul in the box.
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“VAR was correct to check the incident,” Hackett said.
“I agree that on review, there is no foul by McGinn. Well done, the officials on this.”
Aston Villa
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery (Credit: Imago)
Uani Emery watching closely at Aston Villa
With some huge games to come in the Premier League and Champions League, McGinn will be crucial to both of those causes between now and May.
The Scotland enforcer will not hold back and gives his all in every game, and once again, he covered every blade of grass over in Greece.
Tsimikas was never fouled, and he can complain all he likes, but the pressure of McGinn worked.
With a huge tie against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League coming, the headline encounters just keep coming for Aston Villa.
Opposition Home/Away
Preston North End Away
Brighton Away
Nottingham Forest Home
PSG Away
Villa’s next fixtures
Emery will also know that his side needs to improve to secure European qualification again next season, with five spots potentially available for the Champions League.
McGinn will be critical to those chances, so getting him back fully fit and off the back of some positive results with Scotland will only help that.
Villa are back in the big time under Emery, and his players are also shining on the international stage.
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