Aston Villa have had a rocky start to the 2025/26 season and are struggling to find stability in the Premier League.
Their first win came against Fulham in late September, followed by a narrow 2-1 win over Burnley, which temporarily lifted spirits at Villa Park.
Despite these wins, Villa currently sit 13th in the league with -1 goal difference, reflecting the challenges they have faced in converting performances into points.
The upcoming matches will be a similar test.
The Villans will next travel to Tottenham Hotspur before facing Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands, so manager Unai Emery will need to manage his squad carefully to avoid fatigue and injuries.
While their domestic form has been inconsistent, Villa have continued to perform well in the Europa League, finishing third in their group after wins against Bologna and Feyenoord.
These results highlight the importance of rotation and team depth, especially when competing on multiple fronts.
Emery has already shown his faith in young players such as Morgan Rodgers, who have improved when given the chance.
This season could be the perfect opportunity to integrate another academy product as Villa balance their league and European ambitions.
A young midfielder who is compared to one of the club’s most reliable performers over the past decade.
John McGinn’s start to the season by the numbers
For Aston Villa, few players epitomize consistency like John McGinn.
The 30-year-old joined Villa from Hibernian when the club were still in the Championship and has been central to their rise to the Premier League and European football.
McGinn is known for his work rate, leadership and eye for goal, having scored in both the Champions League and Europa League this season, including the winning goal in a 1-0 win against Bologna.
In the 2025-26 season, McGinn made 10 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal in the league and two in the Europa League.
John McGinn – Premier League 2025/26 | |
|---|---|
number of matches played | 7 |
minutes | 546 |
the goal | 1 |
progressive carry | 9 |
progressive path | twenty five |
Source:FBref | |
His impact goes beyond just his goals, and his performance last season confirms his consistency: 49 games played, 4 goals, 6 assists, 3,306 minutes played.
McGinn was equally reliable at international level, winning 80 caps and scoring 20 goals for Scotland.
According to FBref, he ranks in the 86th percentile in pass completion percentage (82.1%) and in the 86th percentile in interceptions per 90 minutes (0.69).
No matter the situation, McGinn performs consistently and provides Villa with a reliable presence in midfield that stabilizes both defense and attacking transitions.
McGinn’s influence will be vital as Villa face tough competition and balance multiple competitions.
His consistency provides the basis for Emery to experiment with younger players, confident that the backbone of his midfield remains strong.
Emery should trust McGinn next
Aidan Boland, an 18-year-old central midfielder, could be Villa’s next player to emulate McGinn’s influence.
Borland, signed for a nominal fee from Celtic’s youth set-up in 2023, is already showing maturity beyond his years.
This season he played six times in Premier League 2 (540 minutes) and made one appearance in the EFL Trophy (90 minutes).
He was also on the bench in the Carabao Cup against Brentford, which Villa lost on penalties after being put ahead by Harvey Elliott.
Borland’s style of play reflects many of McGinn’s characteristics.
He is an aggressive duelist and tackler who covers a wide range of ground, reads the game well and frequently makes interceptions to break up opponent attacks.
He approaches each action proactively, keeps the play simple and leads by example. That trait has already drawn praise from youth coaches.
Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “younger version of John McGinn”, a comparison that will be reassuring for Villa fans given the midfielder’s reliability over the last decade.
Borland is physically and mentally ready to step up.
His high work rate, intelligence and composure on the ball suggest he has the potential to develop if given first-team playing time this season.
Emery, who is known for effectively integrating academy talent, could find a key option in Borland to rotate alongside McGinn or provide cover in European matches.
As Villa look for a balance between league stability and a place in the Europa League, giving the young midfielder a chance could accelerate his development while giving the team fresh energy in the central areas.
If Borland can adapt to the pace and intensity of Premier League football, he could become Emery’s trusted player, mirroring McGinn’s stability, leadership and attacking contribution.
Developing talent from within the academy has already proven successful for Villa, and Borland has the potential to continue that tradition and provide both quality and longevity in midfield.
For a club that has weathered a difficult start to the season, the emergence of a player like Boland could be key to sustaining performances across competitions and could help Aston Villa challenge for a higher league position as they continue their European journey.
