McGINN FIZZ
Villa’s new Scottish star looks like he’s settled in straight away south of border
VILLA new boy John McGinn believes he is made to measure for the English game.
The Scot, looking every inch a bargain at just £2.75million, appeared at home as the tackles were flying in at Portman Road.
McGinn also showed his undoubted class on the ball, with the perfect delivery for Jonathan Kodjia’s opener making it three assists from as many games since his switch from Hibernian.
It has been an impressive start to life south of the border, but the 23-year-old midfielder is adamant there is more to come.
He said: “It’s been good, but there’s a lot of room for improvement as well. I feel as if I’ve started OK, but no one has seen the best of me yet.
“I’m pleased with the assists and I just want to help the team and make my all-round game better.
“It will come. It’s a different style of football, a different league and a different challenge. I feel as if I’m stepping up a level and I’m getting used to it.
“It’s a lot tougher down here and you need to be prepared for it. Thankfully I’m made for a league like this. Tackles happen in football and you need to be brave and stand up to them. If you can take it, you can share it as well.” When McGinn crossed for Kodjia to head his first goal in 11 months, everything seemed to be going Villa’s way.
But a clanger from keeper Orjan Nyland allowed onloan Chelsea midfielder Trevoh Chalobah (left) to level.
Then Fulham loanee Tayo Edun was red-carded after two over-zealous challenges would regain control. But Ipswich, despite and their numerical it dis-advantage, seemed made a real fight of it to lift a Villa noisy crowd. Clearly Paul Hurst's criticism of their midweek League Cup exit at Exeter, they were given a standing ovation at the end. Former Villa youngster Janoi Donacien is also new to the Championship following a loan move from Accrington that is set to become permanent in January. Donacien, 24, said: "It was a good battling display. It took a lot for us to come back, especially from a goal down against a good team that should be up there this year. °We just stuck at our jobs and kept going to the end. `I didn't really see Tayo's tackles, but the lads say it was a bit harsh that he got sent off It was a knock that it came so quickly after we equalised. We had to get our heads back in the game. If you don't concentrate against a team like Villa they will punish you: