‘No way’ - John McGinn urged not to pick Aston Villa pal Jack Grealish as his best man by brother

Aston Villa star John McGinn has been begged not to pick Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish as his best man for his impending wedding.

The Scotsman announced his engagement to long-term girlfriend Sara Stokes in December after the couple had been dating for eight years. McGinn popped the question during some family time as the Premier League took a pause for the World Cup last winter and shared a rare snap of himself and Stokes to confirm the news.

The loved-up pair cut relaxed figures as they kicked back on a yacht in the photo with a glass of bubbly in hand. Keeping it short but sweet, McGinn wrote: "The future Mrs McGinn."

Congratulatory messages from footballing stars including Lucas Digne, Marvelous Nakamba, John Terry and Steven Gerrard came pouring in and now the McGinn family have been given the chance to do some family planning as they united at Hibs.

Aston Villa travel to Easter Park to take on the Edinburgh side, where McGinn spent three years between 2015 and 2018. His older brother Paul, who also played for Hibs, told talkSPORT this morning that it would be a family affair at the match.

Ally McCoist also asked the elder McGinn about the wedding preparations and theorised that Grealish could be the best man given how close he was to the Scottish star when playing at Aston Villa.

Paul, who was best man alongside Paul at other brother Stephen's wedding in 2019, scoffed at the idea and suggested that such a decision might not be the best for the midfielder. Paul said: "There's no way anyone is picking Jack Grealish as their best man."

McCoist replied: "That would be riddled with danger, that, wouldn't it? Let's be honest with you - just inviting him to the wedding would be a risk!"

Paul was then asked about a potential stag do location. He joked: "I don't know. We'd be too recognisable, it will have to be South America or somewhere, with the glasses on!"

The former Hibs star also shared that he expected McGinn to get a warm welcome at Easter Park this evening but noted that Hibs fans wouldn't let their fondness for the star affect the result they want.

Paul said: "The Easter Road factor should help, they rise to the occasion. It's similar with Celtic and Rangers and the gaps in their budget. We're hoping they can do similar tonight.

"I think it'll be a loving pre-game. Once the game starts I imagine he'll be enemy number one.

"They just need to make it a battle. you're not going to outplay Aston Villa, there might be a spell when you've not got the ball and you try and counter with pace, they'll be hoping to rely on that.

"I'm going, I'll have the John hat on more [than supporting Hibs]. Family cuts across. I imagine it'll be Villa, always wanting the boy to do well."