History will say it was a mixed bag for Aston Villa as we welcomed newly promoted Wigan Athletic to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon for our second Championship clash of 2018/19.
History will also rightly note a 3-2 victory gave us our best start to the season since 1999 and if we can notch up three wins on the spin that’ll be the best start since something like the 60’s if my memory serves from something I read over the weekend.
Manager Steve Bruce was quick to point out post game that we rode our luck and the performance can certainly be better, but we were worthy winners with the chances created, we just need to be more clinical but a big topic of conversation was our debutants on the day.
Speaking to the Official Site following the game, obviously one man stoodout with his performance and that was recent capture John McGinn.
The boss on @JMcGinn7's debut ????
More reaction ???? https://t.co/Mooi1MFiwQ#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/Y74X49IYIw
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) August 11, 2018
“Three weeks ago we couldn’t have bought him – it’s as simple as that. But the owners have given us the impetus and backed me to go out and get some younger, fresher players like him. That’s what we’re now looking for. He’s had a terrific debut. I said on Friday he’d be a crowd favourite. I think he was today.”
With Orjan Nyland taking to the pitch for the first time and being joined by Axel Tuanzebe who re-debuted for us, he added.
“Nyland would have been disappointed with the first goal but overall he was pretty competent in everything he did. He’ll be good. He’ll be fine. And Axel just needs to play games. He hasn’t played a lot in his career. With games he’ll get better. He’ll be a good acquisition for us.”
When it came to McGinn in particular given his massively impressive debut, fans were more than on board with the bosses words.
Best player on the pitch today, drives forward, not afraid to tackle and his vision is brilliant, love him already! #AVFC
— Dan Ball ???? (@BallDanielJames) August 11, 2018
Think just on todays game alone McGinn is going to prove to be the signing of the season . Future Villa captain and legend ? I think so
— Nigel (@Nigel38939861) August 11, 2018
His work rate and application were like Villa players from the glory days – attacking and exciting the others could learn from his style of play ????
— Jillian Smith (@jillybabes) August 11, 2018
McGinn was the real boss today let's face it
— Villachat (@Villachat1) August 11, 2018
Great result today and villa park as usual was rocking !!!! ???????????? once we sort the leaky defence out we could be in for a memorable season everything is in place for the prem #utv
— Gareth Lingley (@Gazzle1982) August 11, 2018
Quality signing – his crosses today were pin point ????⚽️
— Ian Harper (@ian_m_harper) August 11, 2018
Man of the match for me, @jmcginn7 and both John and @JackGrealish1 ran the show, best debut by a Villa player I can remember #UTV #VTID
— Ron Dovey (@RonDovey) August 12, 2018
He was superb today … great debut… good engine covered every blade of grass ….
— Robbie (@robbielad51) August 11, 2018
Can we expect that every week? Maybe best to not pile the pressure on just yet eh!
