Aston Villa handed huge boost as key man returns to training
Villa have received a huge boost after captain John McGinn returned to training.
McGinn has not played since suffering a knee injury in a 1-0 defeat to Everton on January 18.
The Scotland international underwent minor surgery the following week but is now recovered and preparing to play a part in the season’s final run-in.
Villa, who also lost Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans to injury in January, have struggled in McGinn’s absence, winning just four of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions.
Boss Unai Emery will now hope the return of the club’s longest-serving player provides a lift to his team, as they battle for a top-five Premier League finish and attempt to end the club’s long trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
Villa visit Lille on Thursday for the first leg of a last-16 tie, before visiting Manchester United on Sunday for a key Premier League fixture. The two clubs are currently level on points in the table, with third-placed United ahead of Villa on goal difference.
Kamara has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury sustained in an FA Cup win at Tottenham.
Tielemans is expected to play some part in the run-in but is yet to return to training, after suffering an ankle injury in a 2-0 win at Newcastle.
Villa are winless in their last four matches and will head to France aiming to bounce back from bruising back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Chelsea.
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