John McGinn has firmly rejected the notion that Aston Villa’s recent struggles in the Premier League are a result of their Champions League commitments. Despite making a strong start in Europe's elite competition, Villa's form has faltered, and their 3-0 loss to Chelsea marked their eighth consecutive game without a win, leaving them in 12th place in the Premier League standings. McGinn, however, is confident that their European campaign isn’t to blame for their slump.
In a statement following the defeat to Chelsea, McGinn emphasized that Villa's failure to maintain form cannot be justified by the demands of competing in the Champions League. “I’m not sure if it can be an excuse because we had a more difficult turnaround last season,” he said, referencing the Thursday-to-Sunday schedule Villa faced while competing in the Conference League. Despite the challenges of playing midweek European fixtures, McGinn stressed that the team must take responsibility for their current form, without using their European commitments as a scapegoat.
The Villa captain believes the squad has enough quality to get back on track. He acknowledged the importance of sticking together as a team during this tough period and staying focused on improving results. “We have the quality to compete, and we know we have to work harder to turn things around,” McGinn continued, displaying confidence in the team's abilities to achieve positive results moving forward. He also noted that Villa must use the upcoming fixtures to regain momentum and push for better performances.
Manager Unai Emery echoed McGinn’s sentiments, agreeing that Villa must improve but urging persistence and belief in the process. Reflecting on the loss to Chelsea, Emery admitted that their opponents were the better team on the day. “Today, Chelsea were better than us,” he said, acknowledging Villa’s inability to capitalize on the few chances they had. However, Emery emphasized that he remains fully committed to the team and their Champions League journey, expressing confidence that they can rebuild and regain their confidence.
Despite Villa’s disappointing position in the league, Emery remains optimistic. He stated that while their league position is not where they expected to be, they must continue to trust in their work, improve individually, and build as a team. Emery's belief in his squad and their ability to turn things around reflects a collective commitment to overcoming the current slump and striving for success.
