McGinn and Lindelof ‘deserve the accolades’

“He is a crazy geezer, he is a mad Scotsman, but he is always the first one in and the last one out,” said former Aston Villa defender Ashley Young as he singled out current club captain John McGinn on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast.

The 31-year-old made 12 out of a possible 15 appearances across the club’s Europa League-winning campaign, scoring five goals and contributing two assists.

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“I’m sitting here feeling so proud of him,” said Young. “I’m so happy he gets to pick up that trophy after what he has done for and given to Aston Villa because it is just phenomenal.

“He is literally Mr Aston Villa day in, day out, so it is great to see him lift the trophy. Like every man on that pitch, from the first whistle right until the end, he played his part.

“He is a typical, true captain. He puts everyone before himself.”

Young also praised Victor Lindelof, who made a 66-minute appearance in the final, adding: “Everyone had a job to do and they did it – nobody more so than Victor Lindelof.

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“I know a lot of people will be saying he only played 65 minutes, but he gave a lot to the team in that central midfield role.

“I knew he could play in the centre of the midfield, but I know a lot of people will have been wondering what Unai Emery was doing.

“He was winning the ball back, he was passing forward, he was looking to play forward.

“It was just a wholesome team performance from everyone out there. Every single one of them deserves the accolades they should be getting right now.”

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds