Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has claimed that the club's midfielder John McGinn will be near full fitness when the Premier League season returns later this month.
Dean Smith's sit 19th in the Premier League table as things stand and they will be keen to get back on the pitch as they attempt to stave off relegation to the Championship.
McGinn, who arrived at Villa Park in 2018 from Hibernian, played a massive part in the team's promotion to the Premier League last year by contributing seven goals and 10 assists. With three three goals and gaining two assists in his 18 league appearances this term, Villa have missed the Scottish international since he picked up an injury.
Winning both the Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year awards last season, McGinn’s potential return could be the boost that Villa need.
Hutton told Football Insider: “I think he’ll be very close, he’s full training now – the only thing is he missed a lot of football before the March shutdown.
“Whether the manager sees him as able enough to go straight back in, we’ll have to wait and see but I know he’s desperate, absolutely desperate and he feels he’s ready to go.
“That will be a decision down to the manager but I think, myself included, all the fans are desperate to see him out on the pitch because he brings so much to the team and it’s what they’ve been missing, they’ve been missing John McGinn.
“When he was out injured, you could tell they missed him, so to have him back would be a massive boost.”
It would certainly be good news for Villa if McGinn is available when football resumes as he has proved himself to be one of the best and in-form players in the squad over the last 18 months.
His unfortunate injury is likely to have many Villa fans wondering what if should they get relegated but, if they stay up, his impending return could be a massive factor in securing their Premier League status.
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