John McGinn insists that the Aston Villa dressing room must respond positively to the club's level of expectation
John McGinn of Aston Villa
John McGinn of Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
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John McGinn feels a responsibility to remind the Aston Villa dressing room what it means to play for the club, adding that "you either go under or puff your chest" during poor runs of form.
Villa are currently struggling in the league, having won just two of their last 10 Premier League matches. Following a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday, they have now lost three consecutive games for only the second time under Unai Emery.
Their 1-0 victory over Lille last Thursday ended a four-match winless streak and gives Villa a one-goal advantage heading into the second leg of their round of 16 clash with the French side on Thursday.
McGinn, who returned to the squad last week after minor knee surgery six weeks ago, provided a significant boost to Emery, bringing leadership and quality to the pitch that had been missing during his absence.
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Ahead of Villa’s second leg against Lille, McGinn was asked whether he feels increased pressure to be the catalyst for a revival in form.
“There’s an expectation for any footballer when they are injured and results aren’t going well, you become this superior player and you are the reason why things haven’t been going well,” McGinn explained.
“When you lose three of your midfield, I think most teams in the country would struggle. I feel the expectation and pressure to remind players of what it takes to play for Aston Villa. It’s a demanding club to play for.
"When you set standards, you are expected to meet them again. When you fall short of that, you get criticism, which is part of playing for a big club. I come under criticism when I don't play well.
"You either crumble and go under, or puff your chest out to prove doubters wrong, or to prove to yourself that it’s not a one-off season or that you are a one-season wonder. We have been going through spells of not playing well since the manager has been here, but we have come out of them stronger.
"We have to remind ourselves what has got us there - staying humble and working hard, listening to our manager says. I enjoy the pressure and expectation - it is up to us to deliver at the end of the season."