A number of Aston Villa fans hailed the performance of midfielder John McGinn on Saturday despite their calamitous late collapse in the Midlands derby against Wolves.
Dean Smith's side found themselves two goals to the good with little over 10 minutes left to play at Villa Park, the Scot's deflected shot on 68 minutes putting them 2-0 up and seemingly out of sight. However, the visitors staged a dramatic late comeback, turning the game on its head and coming away with a 3-2 victory after Ruben Neves, off whom the ball deflected for McGinn's goal, saw his free kick take a deflection on its way into the net, leaving the home side stunned. [Sky Sports]
Despite the extraordinary surrendering of what had seemed a comfortable lead for Villa, their Scottish midfielder can come away from the match feeling pleased with his own personal contribution.
Aside from the goal he netted - his second in a week after bagging for Scotland against Israel on international duty - he also claimed an assist for Danny Ings' opener yesterday and gave an all-round strong performance. As per SofaScore, he had three successful dribbles, won four tackles and came out on top in eight of his 13 duels.
His display won the praise of Birmingham Live's Ashley Preece, who wrote that the midfielder (who turns 27 tomorrow) "did everything that was asked and more". It also made an impression on numerous Villa fans on Twitter, one of whom called McGinn an "elite level" player.
Check out some of the online reaction below.
Aston Villa fans praise John McGinn
"When in form, John McGinn is practically unplayable. Such a dynamic, Swiss Army knife of a footballer."
Credit: @CianByNature
"John McGinn has reached elite level. Been saying it all season but today he's something else. #AVFC"
Credit: @greggevans40
"So many fans on here with egg on their face, Super John McGinn is on another level, performances like today sets him above any other player at the club, but I’ve been saying this since day dot, some of our fanbase really don’t know football. Super @jmcginn7 MOTM @AVFCOfficial"
Credit: @MrPJLinton
"Shout out to the meatball…..levels above anyone else on the pitch today @jmcginn7 #avfc"
Credit: @deano7villa
"John McGinn is on another level this season! #AVFC"
Credit: @7500toHolte
"John McGinn is a machine. Best @AVFCOfficial player since God"
Credit: @CallumK54024687
"We’re so lucky to have John McGinn, what a player"
Credit: @JoeSpencerAV
In other news, one of McGinn's team-mates got a rather frostier reaction from some Villa fans for his performance yesterday