John McGinn Aston Villa
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #JohnMcGinn says ‘Loveable’ #CheAdams has been a breath of fresh air #AVFC

June 21, 2021
JOHN McGinn described Saints striker Che Adams as a "breath of fresh air" for Scotland, adding: "He's been a superb addition to the squad." Leicester-born Adams represented England at under-20 level, but qualifies to play for the Tartan Army due to his maternal grandparents being Scottish. Adams rejected the advances of Scotland in 2017, but did switch allegiance in March of this year, making his debut in a 2-2 draw with Austria. The 24-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at Coventry City before dropping into non-league, got his call-up to the Euros and now has two goals in six matches for his nation. Adams impressed as a second-half substitute in Scotland's opening group game against Czech Republic, before earning a start and playing 85 minutes of Friday's 0-0 draw with England at Wembley. Discussing the addition of Adams to the squad, team-mate McGinn, who made his senior Scotland bow in 2016, told the Daily Echo: "He’s been a breath of fresh air. When he came on the other day (against Czech Republic) he was outstanding. "On Friday he was just a man possessed! He might be from Coventry but he looked as if he was from Castlemilk (a district in Glasgow). "He was outstanding and not only that, he’s come in with a determination and a hunger to go and succeed for Scotland. "And not only that, he’s a brilliant guy off the pitch, which helps massively. "So he’s going to be huge for us going forward and it was an amazing performance from Che (against England)." The 0-0 draw keeps Scotland's hopes of qualification out of Group D alive, knowing victory over Croatia at Hampden Park on Tuesday should be enough to progress. Adams received a standing ovation from the vociferous travelling Scotland fans as he was substituted late on at Wembley having produced the type of workmanlike centre-forward display Saints fans have become accustomed to since he arrived at St Mary's from Birmingham City in 2019. And Glaswegian McGinn is not surprised to see the Tartan Army take to Adams so quickly. The Aston Villa midfielder said: "Aye, he’s a loveable guy obviously. My first dealings with him were in the Birmingham Villa derby, so I wasn’t his biggest fan! "But we’ve got on really well. He’s a top guy, top player and he’s been a superb addition to the squad. "So hopefully come Tuesday he can get a goal and get us through to the last 16."
Ashley Young
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Aston Villa secure #AshleyYoung signing as Burnley miss out #AVFC

June 18, 2021
BURNLEY have missed out on the signing of Ashley Young after the former England international rejoined Aston Villa on a free transfer from Inter Milan. The Clarets saw the versatile 35-year-old as someone who could help supplement them in wide areas and at one point looked to be in pole position to secure his signature. Young, who scored 38 goals in 190 appearances for Villa between 2006 and 2011, has however signed a one-year contract to return to Villa Park. “It feels amazing to be back, it feels like I’ve not left,” he said. “I’m just delighted to be back, seeing some old faces, being back at the training ground, seeing the facilities and how well they’ve grown. “You can see how much the club has evolved since my time and I’m just ready to get down to work now.” Young, who won 39 England caps and travelled to Euro 2012 and the 2018 World Cup, joined Villa from Watford before leaving for Manchester United. He won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League while at Old Trafford before moving to Inter – where he clinched the Serie A title last season – in January 2020. Young, who can operate at full-back or on the wing, has made 369 Premier League appearances in total and had also been linked with a return to Watford before opting for Villa Park. “When I heard of the interest from Aston Villa, it was straight to my agent, ‘get a deal done, whatever you can, get a deal done’,” he added. “I think someone said (about me), ‘he’s coming to the end of his career’, ‘he hasn’t got that hunger any more’, ‘he’s just going there for a swansong’… “That’s not me at all, I’ve still got that winning mentality, that winners’ attitude, that desire and hunger to go and win.” Head coach Dean Smith said: “Ashley brings with him a wealth of experience of top-level football both at club and international level and he is joining having just won a league championship in Italy. “He is a player who can play in a number of positions and, having spoken to him at length, I know he is determined to make a real impact with us this season.”