Key Scotland star decides future as talisman signs on the dotted line

The Scotland midfielder had entered the final year of his deal and was the subject of a failed £18million bid from Everton during the summer transfer window.

However, the Villa skipper has committed his future to the West Midlands club by penning a contract extension until 2028 which will see him rack up a decade of service at Villa Park.

A bargain £2.5 signing from Hibs in 2018, McGinn joined Villa while in the Championship and has gone on to make 299 appearances across all competitions, scoring 33 goals and providing 41 assists.

He helped the club secure promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs in his first season and was made captain under then manager Steven Gerrard in 2022, replacing defender Tyrone Mings in the role.

McGinn retained the armband under current boss Unai Emery and led the club into the Champions League last season for the first time in 41 years. He remains a key part of the side, playing in all 14 matches so far this season, scoring three times and contributing one assist, and is line to make his 300th appearance against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League on Thursday might.

The ex-St Mirren youngster is also a talisman for the Scottish national side with 20 goals in 80 caps placing him fifth in the list of the country's all-time record goalscorers, one ahead of Ally McCoist.

Villa head coach Emery said: “Three years we have worked together and in those years he has shown us and shown me how he leads the team.

“The most important thing is how he responds in the field. His commitment with Aston Villa is a huge committment. He is going to be an important player for us.”