Emery must unleash 18-year-old ‘youth version of McGinn’ at Aston Villa

Aston Villa It has been a difficult start to the 2025/26 season, as they struggle to find consistency in the season Premier League.

Their first win only came in late September against Fulham, and they followed that up with a narrow 2-1 victory over Burnley, a result that temporarily lifted morale at Villa Park.

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

Their upcoming matches are a similar test.

The Villans travel to Tottenham Hotspur next before heading to the Netherlands to face Go Ahead Eagles Unai Emery He must manage his team carefully to avoid fatigue and injury.

While domestic form has been inconsistent, Villa are doing better in the Europa League, where they sit third in their group after wins over Bologna and Feyenoord.

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

Emery has already shown his willingness to trust young players, such as Morgan Rogers, who has impressed when given the opportunity.

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

A young midfielder who is being compared to one of the club’s most reliable players over the past decade.

John McGinn’s start to the season by the numbers

For Aston Villa, few players embody consistency John McGinn.

The 30-year-old joined Villa from Hibernian when the club were still in the Championship and was instrumental in the team’s rise to the Premier League and European football.

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

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

His impact goes beyond goals, as last season’s statistics confirm his consistency: 49 matches, four goals, six assists, and 3,306 minutes played.

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

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

No matter the circumstances, McGinn delivers consistently, providing Villa with a reliable presence in midfield who stabilizes defensive and attacking transitions.

With Villa facing tough fixtures and balancing multiple competitions, McGinn’s influence is vital.

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

The next McGinn that Emery should trust

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

Signed from the Celtic youth academy in 2023 for a nominal fee, Borland has already shown maturity beyond his years.

This season, he has played six times in the Premier League 2 (540 minutes) and made one appearance in the Premier League Cup (90 minutes).

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

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

He is an aggressive fencer and striker, covers a large area, reads the game well, and often makes interceptions to break up opposition attacks.

He approaches every action positively, keeps his game simple, and leads by example – characteristics that have already drawn praise from youth coaches.

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

Physically and mentally, Borland is ready for the move.

His high work rate, intelligence and composure on the ball suggest he could flourish if he gets 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 in European fixtures.

With Villa looking to balance league stability with progress 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, nurturing talent from within the academy has already proven successful, and Borland has the potential to continue that tradition, providing quality and longevity in the midfield.

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