What Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn said about his viral celebration.

Aston Villa match-winner John McGinn has explained why he celebrated in a peculiar fashion during the 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

The Villans skipper netted an impressive brace against Saturday’s opponents, scoring either side of Morgan Gibbs-White’s composed dink over Emiliano Martinez. The first was a clinical finish into the left corner from a low Matty Cash cross to make it 2-0. McGinn then rounded John Victor in no man’s land for 3-1, finding the open net from no fewer than 30 yards.

McGinn’s double was his first in the Premier League and only the second he has ever achieved in his Villa career. The other was some six years and 10 months ago, all the way back in March 2019 – also against Forest, but in the Championship rather than in the top flight.

Why did McGinn celebrate in the way he did?

McGinn sparked confusion after his first goal in Saturday’s win as he veered from his usual goggles celebration, instead hunching his back and stomping on the floor. The Holte End found it hilarious and as did those watching on TV, trying to work out what on earth he was doing.

It came as no surprise, then, that McGinn was asked about it during his post-match interview with Sky Sports. It turns out the captain was making a little fun of the way head coach Unai Emery speaks at Bodymoor Heath. Brave, right?

“A wee joke in the dressing room,” McGinn explained. “I don't know how much I can say about it! There is a reason behind it and it was hinting at the manager talking about us going step by step so it was a wee nod towards that.”

Emery’s demand to McGinn revealed

That ‘step by step’ message that McGinn refers to is Emery refusing to discuss the Premier League title race, despite Villa winning 13 of their last 14 matches in the competition. The Scotsman clearly wants to dream a little and finds it entertaining that Emery is do against it, until the end of the season comes.

On a more serious note, McGinn is well aware of Emery’s demands and understands the reasons behind them. After all, if it wasn’t for Emery’s perfectionism, Villa wouldn’t be anywhere near where they are today.

“The manager wanted me to be more intense and get in the box and thankfully I did that,” McGinn added. “I just take each day as it comes and hope we get the three points. It was important. It was a poor result the other night (the 4-1 defeat at Arsenal). We wanted to show a reaction, maybe the start of another 11-game winning run we don't know.”

Emery himself was impressed with what he saw from McGinn on Saturday. The Spaniard insists the ‘numbers’ were always going to come for the Scotland international.

“We need goals from the players, the strikers, the midfielders, everybody,” Emery told BBC Match of the Day. “I try to set ambitions individually. They have their targets and John McGinn needs to score goals like he did today.”