John McGinn keen for Aston Villa to make a quick start in West Brom play-off showdown

The midfield ace is keen for Dean Smith’s men to set the tone from the start against their West Midlands rivals.

Albion will host the second leg on Tuesday, after finishing above Villa in the table.

McGinn said: “You would prefer to be at home second. But if you had asked us around Christmas if we were going to get a home play-off first-leg we would have bitten your hand off.

“I don’t think anyone in those four play-off places would want to come to Villa Park. It’s important we get on the front foot and try to take the game to them.”

Villa failed to beat the Baggies in either league meeting this season. A controversial 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns in December was followed with a 2-0 home defeat in February.

McGinn added: “We played at The Hawthorns and were excellent that night. That is when they were at the top of their game with Harvey Barnes playing really well.

“The disappointing game was at Villa Park. They schooled us that day but I think now we are a very different animal.

“We are the form side going into these games and need to show it. At the same time, we know we must be respectful of West Brom and realise they have got the better of us this year. It’s up to us to change that.”

Villa are aiming to go one better after missing out to Fulham in last year’s play-off final.

McGinn, who joined from Hibernian during the summer, revealed how players are desperate to erase the pain of 12 months ago.

He explained: “Rather than unfinished business with West Brom, it is unfinished business for the lads who experienced the pain of last year’s defeat.

“They are talking about how it was some of the worst days of their career after that. Realising how close they came to getting the job done. We are all determined to get the job done and make sure we do it properly.”