John McGinn has professed his delight after extending his contract at Aston Villa - and the skipper is already setting his sights on silverware.
In the five years since he joined Villa from Hibernian, the Scotsman has been a major driving force in the club’s progression from the Championship to a top-seven finish in the Premier League.
And with his future secure, captain McGinn is looking to help push the club on to even greater heights.
He said: “If we perform like we did in the second half of the season, there’s no reason why we can’t compete for trophies.
“That’s what the club needs to aim for. We need to get success back – European football is part of that but the club needs trophies. The fans crave it.”
He continued: “There have been plenty of ups and downs, but I’ve loved every minute of it, and we’ve been pretty successful.
“The first season couldn’t have gone any better and we managed to get promoted. We found the Premier League challenging.
“We’ve had some great moments. This season epitomised what everyone wants to achieve and showed the potential and ambition everyone has.
“We’re really starting to achieve that with the manager and staff in place. It’s exciting for the fans and exciting to be a player here.”
“If we perform like we did in the second half of the season, there’s no reason why we can’t compete for trophies. That’s what the club needs to aim for. We need to get success back – European football is part of that but the club needs trophies. The fans crave it.”
John McGinn
The all-action midfielder has provided many memorable moments during 183 appearances for the club, including the winner at Wembley to send Villa back to the top tier.
And McGinn can't wait to continue what he started five years ago.
“I’m delighted to get it sorted, this is home for me now,” he said.
“I’m really excited to be a part of what should be a really exciting journey.”
“If you’d have told me eight years ago that I would be a Premier League player and playing every week I would have laughed at you,” he added.
“The progression and the journey has been mental. It hasn’t properly sunk in. I’m loving every single minute.
“If you’d have told me when I was young I’d be playing in the Premier League against the best players in the world for a club like Aston Villa – I have to pinch myself.
“I don’t take it for granted and try to be the best I can be every day.”
