Returning John McGinn backed to boost Aston Villa with 'leadership and laughter'
Morgan Rogers has backed John McGinn to bring leadership and laughter back to the Villa dressing room with the skipper poised to make his return in Lille on Thursday.
McGinn has travelled to France with the squad after recovering from knee surgery, with boss Unai Emery refusing to rule the Scotland international out of starting the Europa League last-16 first leg tie.
Villa have struggled in the skipper’s absence, winning just four of the 10 matches he has missed.
Speaking in France on Wednesday evening, Rogers explained how McGinn’s qualities as a player and a person can lift his team-mates.
Asked the biggest thing they had missed without the captain, Rogers said: “First and foremost, the jokes! He’s the funniest person in the room - that’s one thing we’ve missed.
“He’s our leader, and he leads by example. He is our energy, and he brings that. We have probably found it quite hard to replace that.
“We’ve found it tough to replace that. It’s tough because when he’s a player who is such a big player and character, who has been with us for so many years, even before I was here, it can be difficult.
“It’s hard when he’s such a big character and personality, so it’s massive to have him back.
“He puts a smile on people’s faces. He plays with that smile; he wears the badge on his sleeve. It’s really nice to have him back.”
Boss Emery agreed: "As a captain he adds something more.
“We're happy that he's coming back - we need to recover him in the rhythm as soon as possible. He can play even at the beginning (of the match), or after that."
Villa will be without Matty Cash, who suffered a calf injury in last week’s 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea.
