GINNERATION GAME...
Villa star John admits: This is the biggest match in our time
JOHN MCGINN has vowed to remind every Aston Villa player of the prize at stake – ahead of a game he’s billed as “the biggest in the club’s recent history”.
Villa’s skipper says that if any of his team-mates are lacking focus, they will be snapped out of it as Champions League football moves within reach.
Victory for Villa will give them an eight-point buffer over rivals Spurs.
And even though Ange Postecoglou’s men have a game in hand, it will make Unai Emery’s side favourites to grab the precious fourth spot for the first time since 1996.
With a better goal difference to fall back upon, too, it will be a huge ask to overhaul the former European Champions.
Mcginn said: “In terms of league fixtures, it’s the most important game in the club’s recent history.
“If I feel that the players aren’t aware of it, I’ll be reminding them.
“The supporters will be right up for it – and so will Tottenham. We got away with one at their place and they’re a good team we’ll fully respect. But we know we’re a force at Villa Park.”
Boss Emery has maintained for a large chunk of the campaign that Villa are not contenders.
But he said he will reassess that with six games to go.
Mcginn said: “The manager’s stressed that he’s going to judge the season after game week 32 and see where we are. It’s creeping up. He’s not yet mentioned the Champions League, but we have as we’re ambitious.
“We want to do something the clubhaven’t in a long, long time.
“Our focus from last year was to improve and be competitive in the Europa Conference League, which we’ve done so far. We wanted to get to the Europa League and then maybe try and get the Champions League.
“We’ve got an exciting run of games coming up.”
Mcginn said he will be keeping an eye out for Matty Cash. The full-back suffered a backlash on social media after a tackle on Rodrigo Bentancur caused an injury that kept the Uruguayan out for more than a month.
But Postecoglou has dismissed claims of a ‘revenge mission’.
Mcginn added: “We’re aware of the noise. A lot was made of it, it was complete nonsense and the way he was abused after was ridiculous so I’m sure it will be a feisty game. Every match at Villa Park where the away team goes on the front foot is feisty.
“But we always look after each other.
“If it’s got to be feisty, let’s roll our sleeves up and get involved.”