John McGinn outlines Aston Villa ‘expectation’ in Champions League as Bayern Munich test awaits

McGinn will miss out on leading Villa out for their highly-anticipated hosting of Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, but that hasn’t stopped the skipper from embracing the hype and setting out expectations for the campaign ahead.

The Scot, sidelined with a hamstring injury and unlikely to play any part until after the October international break, is confident Villa have what it takes to beat anyone. Bayern are the heavy favourites for Wednesday but the players believe they can cause an upset.

"The expectation in the dressing room is that we finish in the top eight [of the league phase] and go all the way. We know what we are capable of and that we belong at this level,” McGinn told the club’s lead shirt sponsor, Betano.

"I think there was more expectation and pressure on us to get far in the Europa Conference League last season. We embraced that we were the favourite to go and win that tournament and we couldn’t deliver on that. That experience has only made us stronger to go further this year.

"Playing Bayern Munich and Juventus at Villa Park will be special, I cannot wait for that atmosphere. I'm glad we've been able to deliver that to our supporters,” McGinn said.

This week’s clash with Bayern will be in front of a sell-out crowd under the lights. It’s a fitting first home Champions League fixture as the German Bundesliga giants were Villa’s opponents in Rotterdam for the infamous 1982 European Cup Final victory.

McGinn, just like the over 40,000-strong sea of claret and blue, will be drinking in every moment.