Aston Villa captain John McGinn believes the club’s new arrivals are beginning to fully understand what Unai Emery requires after Saturday’s important victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Villa secured their first Premier League win of the season with a dramatic 3-2 success in north London, having built a three-goal advantage through Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendía.
The result provided a welcome lift heading into the international break after a difficult opening month.
John McGinn sees progress from Aston Villa newcomers
Speaking after the victory, McGinn admitted Villa’s extensive summer rebuild has required patience.
The Scotland international told Reuters:
“The new players are buying into it, it takes time. It’s not easy but it’s rewarding.”
That process was evident against Tottenham.
Manzambi scored his first Villa goal shortly before half-time before Jackson doubled the advantage in the 67th minute. Buendía then made it 3-0 with a superb long-range finish before Tottenham scored twice late on.
We have already examined how Manzambi’s Villa breakthrough has been received by former club Freiburg, with the midfielder quickly becoming an important part of Emery’s rebuilt squad.
Villa finally receive reward for summer rebuild
McGinn also described the Tottenham victory as a relief after Villa entered the weekend searching for their first league win of the campaign.
Several summer arrivals are now beginning to make significant contributions, giving Emery greater encouragement ahead of the next block of fixtures.
The international break will interrupt that momentum, although a large section of Villa’s squad will remain active with their countries.
Our Aston Villa international break tracker contains the full list of call-ups and the players remaining at Bodymoor Heath.
Villa return to Premier League action against Brentford on 10 October, when Emery will hope the progress highlighted by McGinn continues.
