Emery must release Aston Villa’s 18-year-old ‘youth version of McGinn’

Aston Villa have had a difficult start to the 2025/26 season, struggling to find consistency in the Premier League.

Their first win didn’t come until late September against Fulham, and they followed that up with a narrow 2–1 victory over Burnley, a result which temporarily lifted morale at Villa Park.

Despite these victories, Villa currently sit 13th in the league with a goal difference of -1, reflecting the challenges they have faced in converting their performances into points.

Their next matches are also trying.

The Villans next travel to Tottenham Hotspur before traveling to the Netherlands to face the Go Ahead Eagles, meaning Unai Emery must manage his squad carefully to avoid fatigue and injuries.

Although domestic form has been inconsistent, Villa are faring better in the Europa League, sitting third in their group after wins over Bologna and Feyenoord.

These results highlight the importance of team rotation and depth, especially when competing on multiple fronts.

Emery has already shown a willingness to trust younger players, such as Morgan Rogers, who has flourished when given the opportunity.

With Villa balancing league and European ambitions, this season could be the perfect opportunity to bring in another academy product.

A young midfielder who draws comparisons to one of the club’s most reliable players over the last decade.

John McGinn’s start to the season in numbers

For Aston Villa, few players embody consistency like John McGinn.

The 30-year-old joined Villa from Hibernian while the club were still in the Championship and played a pivotal role in their rise to the Premier League and European football.

Known for his work rate, leadership and eye for goal, McGinn has scored in the Champions League and Europa League, including the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Bologna this season.

During the 2025/26 campaign, McGinn made ten appearances in all competitions, scoring once in the league and twice in the Europa League.

His influence extends beyond goals, with last season’s statistics highlighting his consistency: 49 appearances, four goals, six assists and 3,306 minutes played.

At international level, McGinn proved equally reliable, winning 80 caps for Scotland and scoring 20 goals.

He ranks in the 86th percentile for completed passes (82.1%) and the 86th percentile for interceptions per 90 minutes (0.69), according to FBref.

Regardless of the circumstances, McGinn plays consistently, providing Villa with a reliable midfield presence who stabilizes defensive and offensive transitions.

As Villa face demanding matches and balance multiple competitions, McGinn’s influence is vital.

His consistency provides the platform on which Emery can experiment with younger players, confident that the midfield backbone remains strong.

The Next McGinn Emery Should Trust

Aidan Borland, an 18-year-old central midfielder, could be the next Villa player to emulate McGinn’s impact.

Recruited by Celtic’s youth academy in 2023 for a modest fee, Borland has already demonstrated maturity beyond his years.

This season he has played six times in the Premier League 2 (540 minutes) and once in the EFL Trophy (90 minutes).

He was also on the bench in Villa’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brentford, a game they lost on penalties after taking the lead through Harvey Elliot.

Borland’s style of play reflects many of McGinn’s traits.

He is an aggressive duelist and tackler, covers significant ground and reads the game well, frequently making interceptions to break up opposition attacks.

He approaches every action in a positive manner, keeps his game simple and leads by example – traits that have already earned him praise from youth coaches.

Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “youth version of John McGinn”, a comparison Villa fans will find encouraging given the midfielder’s reliability over the past decade.

Physically and mentally, Borland is ready for the rise.

His high work rate, intelligence and composure on the ball suggest he could thrive if given first-team minutes this season.

Emery, known for integrating academy talent effectively, could find a key option in Borland to rotate alongside McGinn or cover European matches.

As Villa look to balance league stability with progression in the Europa League, giving the young midfielder a chance could accelerate his development while providing the team with new energy in central areas.

If Borland adapts to the pace and intensity of Premier League football, he could become a player Emery trusts to mirror McGinn’s consistency, leadership and attacking contribution.

For Villa, developing talent within the academy has already proven successful, and Borland has the potential to continue that tradition, providing both quality and longevity in midfield.

For a club going through a difficult start to the season, the emergence of players like Borland could be key to maintaining performances across all competitions, helping Aston Villa challenge for higher positions in the league as they continue their European journey.