Villa fans will be looking forward to how their international stars holt their friendship if they come up against each other at the 2021 Euro’s this summer
Jack Grealish and John McGinn have been a crucial partnership in Aston Villa’s flying start so far this season
It was no more than they deserved. Holte End superstars were the core of their national side’s performances over the last week. Hungrier, more motivated, tireless.
Villa captain Jack Grealish was one of the outstanding performers throughout England’s international break, repeatably thriving on the opportunity.
As a new entrant there was no doubt, he would be under great pressure to perform as he has for Villa. Nevertheless, Grealish embraced his attacking threat, shining in all four games under Gareth Southgate, picking up three man of the match performances, one of those coming against Iceland at Wembley on Wednesday evening.
The 25-year-olds future is bright within this Lions squad, it appears that on his current form the Villa captain is without question an England starter as Southgate glances ahead towards the European Championships.
Some have compared Grealish to the likes of Paul Gascoigne. Although, Grealish urges fans that he is yet to prove himself on the monumental stages.
“I thrive of those kinds of comparisons. I love Gazza. I’ve watched his documentary on Netflix about a million times.” Said Grealish
“I also want to, obviously, be effective on the pitch, just like Gazza was but those comparisons, I think are obviously far, far away yet because I have not even played at a tournament, like he did.” He added.
England are set to face historic rivals Scotland in the group stages next summer, which could see Villa team-mates Jack Grealish and John McGinn go head to head for the first time in history.
McGinn, who has started every league game under Villa manager Dean Smith so far this season, was included in Scotland’s path to the Euro’s scoring seven goals and creating two assists in just ten matches.
Following the Scot’s memorable victory on penalties over Serbia in Belgrade for their European qualifying round, it sees the tartan army reach their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.
McGinn is thought by team mates to be the powerhouse of the team and how his work-rate is world-class.
The Scottish international admits qualifying for the European Championships may only sink in when he comes up against his English club- mates Jack Grealish and Villa defender Tyrone Mings at Wembley on June 18th.
“I don’t think it will sink in until I’m playing against my mates at Wembley, that’s when I think it will sink in.
“It’s mad. I remember walking home from school with the panni sticker books from Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 and I remember asking why Scotland weren’t there," Said McGinn
Both McGinn and Grealish have created many special memories not just as a friendship but for Aston Villa, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League, whilst gaining a respectable reputation as one of the best midfield duos in the top flight.
As the international break is brought to a close, it will allow the two Villa midfielders to return back to Bodymoor Heath in preparation of their tough fixture against Graham Potter’s Brighton & Hove Albion side this Saturday.
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