Unai Emery has extra-special praise for one Aston Villa player - and they’re not a goalscorer

Unai Emery outlined the ‘consistent’ importance of midfielder John McGinn after Aston Villa’s vital 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon. The Scotsman played a key role in the centre of the park as the Villans earned a huge three points to keep up in the fight for European football.

Villa were dominant throughout having been sent on their way by an eighth-minute Jacob Ramsey opener. The 21-year-old netted with great composure after some brilliant work on the right from Leon Bailey. Douglas Luiz then doubled the lead with a terrific free-kick, before Harry Kane scored a late consolation goal from the penalty spot.

It wasn’t a goalscorer that played the most vital role on the day, though, as 9/10-rated McGinn shone in the Villa Park sunshine with three successful dribbles and four interceptions. “He’s a really amazing guy and he’s really good every day. His commitment with us - he’s smiling every day,” Emery told the media post-match.

“He’s working every day with very good spirit and then his qualities are adding in different positions. He’s always being good for the team, trying to create our one way, one style, and one idea of being very completive in each position. At the end of the match, I decided to finish with him wider to make us more consistent in our structure.

“When I analysed him before I came here, I watched his qualities to add in for my idea here with him. Progressively, from the first match that he started against Manchester United, he showed me his commitment and capacity. He is a very important player for us,” Emery continued with a beaming grin from ear to ear.

Some rather special praise for McGinn, then, and an insight into what the midfielder is like on a day-to-day basis. Of course, Villa’s head coach recognises it’s not about just McGinn or any other individual, but it’s clear to see there’s a particularly special rapport there between the manager and his number seven.