John McGinn expressed his delight at returning to Aston Villa's pitch, marking his return from injury in the team's 1-0 victory over Lille. He came on as a substitute at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with 13 minutes remaining. Ollie Watkins scored a second-half header to give his team the lead in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie.  

Two years ago, Aston Villa eliminated Lille in a penalty shootout in European competition. Now back on the pitch, Scottish midfielder John McGinn believes that the team's experience in 2024 will have a positive impact on this campaign.  

When asked about his feelings on returning to the court after the match, John McGinn said, "It feels great. The surgeon's recovery target was six to eight weeks, and I'm very grateful to the club's physiotherapists and medical team. I followed their recovery plan exactly, and they did an excellent job. I feel great now and hope to continue to maintain this condition."  

When asked about the team's overall performance that night, Aston Villa captain John McGinn said: "I'm very happy. It was a very tough game. We knew when we came here last time that it's a difficult pitch to beat, and the atmosphere was very intense. The opponents are an experienced and strong team, so we had to be under a lot of pressure. However, we created some good chances in the second half, and it's very satisfying to be able to take the lead back to Villa Park."  

"In terms of overall strength, we may have a slight advantage tonight, so it's easy to think about going all out from the start and scoring as early as possible. But with our experience, the team must remain calm, play in a simple and direct way, and stick to our style. As long as we do that, the opportunities will naturally come in the second half."  

John McGinn also praised his teammate Ollie Watkins. The England striker scored his first Europa League goal in northern France, helping Aston Villa take the lead in the first leg. McGinn commended Watkins' shooting ability, while also acknowledging his professionalism and excellent positioning, which created valuable opportunities for the team.  

He added: "Olive Watkins gave us a 1-0 lead with a header. Olive Watkins is a natural striker; he doesn't need to prove himself to anyone, he always gives his all. He's gradually regaining his form and moving towards his goals, and we hope he can reach his peak soon."  

Image source: Internet/Aston Villa official website