Tyrone Mings: John McGinn a huge boost for Aston Villa
Tyrone Mings admits the return of John McGinn has lifted Villa’s players ahead of the Premier League’s return.
McGinn is ready to play a full part in the club’s survival fight during what promises to be a frenetic end to the campaign, having recovered from the fractured ankle he sustained in December.
The Scot was on the brink of returning when the season was suspended on March 13 due to the coronavirus.
Mings said: “Ginny is a great player and he has such an infectious personality that when he isn’t around the team, it does make a big difference.
“I think he is one of the players who, when they are on the team sheet, it affects the mindset of the opposition.
“He is certainly one of those players for us because he brings so much on and off the pitch. It will be good to have him back, for sure.
“We have got quality throughout the team but this period now has allowed players to come back and for teams to perhaps refresh their squad in terms of players that would have missed the season if it had finished on time.
“I think we are in a fortunate position in that we get John McGinn back. Teams around us will strengthen too.”
Villa are scheduled to get the ball rolling on the top flight’s return when they play Sheffield United on June 17.
Victory would see Dean Smith’s men would move out of the bottom three and Mings believes making a good start could be key.
Villa, who had lost five straight in all competitions before the season was halted, will play their final 10 matches in fewer than six weeks.
“I think the relegation zone is a big psychologically when you are in a battle,” he said.
“You don’t want to be in there at any point of the season, let alone if it looks like the season might be curtailed with you in it.
“The first game back is going to be massive, not just for getting out of the relegation zone but for momentum and belief and just to give us a good start going into this mini-season.
“I think it is going to be a good end to the season, whatever happens. I think it will throw a few strange results out because of the environment we are going back into.
“I think it is something the fans will look forward to and will be entertained by.”
