John McGinn issues defiant message after Aston Villa 'punched in face' at Wembley
Defiant skipper John McGinn declared Villa would be back after admitting they got “punched in the face” at Wembley by Crystal Palace.
The captain opened up on the “hurt and disappointment” felt by Unai Emery’s players after Saturday’s chastening 3-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat.
Villa, backed by 35,000 travelling supporters, were aiming to take a big step toward ending the club’s 29-year trophy drought.
Instead they were comfortably beaten by Palace, who took the lead through Eberechi Eze and then scored twice in the second half through Ismaila Sarr after Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a penalty.
McGinn stressed the need to focus on the bigger picture after a season in which Villa also reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, expressing confidence the club won’t have to wait long before returning to the big stage.
He told the BBC: "We have had a lot of praise for the last couple of seasons, now we will get criticism. We have got to take it on the chin, puff our chests out, and try to stay together.
"It is easy for a day like this to disrupt and dismantle what we are building, but we are building something special. Everyone within the club and outside the club can see that. The manager, the staff and the owners we have got - this club is set up and we'll be back here.
"At the moment, it stings. But some days football comes and punches you in the face and today is one of those days."
Villa had their moments but were unable to find a way past Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who denied McGinn and Lucas Digne early in the second half. The England international also saved from Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey, with the latter also having a shot blocked on the line by Pau Torres.
McGinn said: “We weren't at our best, it was clear. But there are big moments in the game where Crystal Palace did better than us. I don't think anyone could watch the game and think Palace didn't deserve to win."
The skipper continued: "Obviously, a massive disappointment. The manager spoke at length in there to remind us of how far we have come. It's not to get away from the disappointment.
"What was at stake today was huge for both clubs but, for us, we are craving success and a trophy. The club has not experienced that for a long time.
"But the manager doesn't have to rant and rave, it was a huge disappointment. We are going to use the hurt from today to come back stronger next season and hopefully get the supporters another trip to Wembley.
"The overriding feeling is hurt and disappointment. We've got an important last four games to achieve European football again and get back into the Champions League, so we can't sulk for too long."
