Alan Hutton, a former full-back for Aston Villa, is joining us as our exclusive columnist. He will share his opinions on the most talked-about topics at Villa Park every week.
John McGinn appeared “tired,” according to Alan Hutton, when he was replaced during Sunday’s 3-3 draw between Scotland and Norway at Hampden Park (19 November).
This season, the midfielder for Aston Villa has played a significant amount of football for both club and country, and he has been crucial in Scotland’s automatic qualification for the 2024 European Championship in Germany.
Before Steve Clarke replaced him after 79 minutes, he scored his 18th goal for Scotland in the weekend’s draw with Norway and assisted on another.
Hutton is good friends with McGinn, and even though he thinks the midfielder was trailing in the last few minutes of his Norway debut, he is optimistic the former Hibernian will be well enough to start on Sunday (November 26) when Aston Villa plays Tottenham in North London.
Hutton said, “I don’t think you rest him,” to Villa News. He continues running through brick walls.
“I understand that he appeared exhausted after the game [against Norway], but he had been through a lot. He is forceful and diligent in his work. That’s what he does; he immerses himself.
However, he bounces back quickly and takes care of himself. That’s what matters most, so that’s what he’ll do going forward, right up until the Tottenham match. He’s got to be healthy and ready to play, in my opinion. One never knows when a curveball will appear. However, I know John, so he’ll be prepared.
This season, McGinn has started all 19 of Villa’s games across all competitions, providing three assists and five goals.
