John McGinn has picked up a calf injury that has seen him withdraw from international duty with Scotland, reports the Daily Record.
The 24-year-old will miss Scotland’s upcoming Nations League games against Albania (November 17) and Israel (November 20), but it’s unknown if he will be back in time for the second-city derby with Birmingham City on November 25.
McGinn is the sixth player currently sidelined for Villa, with Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, Neil Taylor, Birkir Bjarnason, Harry McKirdy and Keinan Davis on the treatment table.
Dean Smith will be praying McGinn doesn’t miss the big derby game, as it would be a big statement of intent to pick up all three points against Birmingham to cement their upturn in form.
The Midlands outfit have won consecutive games in the Championship, moving up into 11th in the league and just four points off the playoffs. McGinn has been a signing of the season contender, playing in 15 of Villa’s 17 Championship outings while scoring and creating six goals.
The midfielder, who boasts 13 caps for Scotland, averages a tackle or interception every 28 minutes. He’s excelled in all facets of his role in games and will be a massive loss to Smith, let alone his national team.
