Aston Villa captain John McGinn admits he is frustrated to have lost ground in the Premier League title race, but says his emotions are a consequence of the winning mentality Unai Emery has installed at the club. Everton held Villa to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon as Emery’s side failed to take their chance of moving joint-top of the Premier League table with Liverpool. Villa have won only one of their last four league games after also missing the opportunity to lead the way at Christmas by drawing with Sheffield United last month.
John McGinn said “The disappointing thing for us is we have had several opportunities to get to the top of the table, whether that is on our own or joint with another team. That has been a frustration, whether it be the game against Nottingham Forest, against Sheffield United and here again today. But the league is very difficult. Teams are going to take points off each other. City are obviously favourites to win it but you just never know. This season has been really exciting and it is just brilliant to be part of what is going to be an exciting end to it. We are going into every game with the mentality of we are going in to win. Even toward the end of the game we are pushing. At that point they are happy with the draw but we want the win. We have that mentality now. We are coming here, dominating and trying to get the three points. Our mentality is right. We are in a good place. One thing which goes unnoticed, that a lot of people ignore, is that while teams have had injuries, so have we. We’ve a hefty injury list. We have done throughout the whole season but we have adapted. Again, on Sunday, Pau Torres and Jacob Ramsey were out. We are missing some top players so for us to be in the mix, it is a really exciting thing to be waiting on them to come back. We discussed in the dressing room before and after how difficult a place this is to come. We have huge respect for Everton as a club. Their supporters are so passionate and they make it so difficult for you to find a rhythm. I think we played well over all. We had chances to win the game but I think it is a good point in the end. We had chances to score. We had plenty, the goal which I think is really tight. We didn’t work on that. It was probably a poor pass from me, which was intended for Douglas, which is maybe why Leon is offside. We had chances in the second half to go and win the game. To be fair to Everton, they don’t give you an inch. Emi saved us at the other end. It is a good clean sheet at a difficult place. Not many teams will come here and get a clean sheet.”
