John McGinn highlights one of the main attractions of signing for Aston Villa

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John McGinn traded Scottish side Hibernian for Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.

Scotland international midfielder John McGinn says the idea of putting Aston Villa back on the map in the Premier League was one of the main attractions of joining the club in the summer, he told the official Aston Villa podcast.

“It was one of the main attractions coming here. You see supporters are craving seeing the club in the top-flight and it’s exciting you can be a part of that, putting the club back on the map,” McGinn explained.

“Hopefully players like myself and others who have come in can put smiles on faces again and realise we’re passionate about being successful and playing for Aston Villa in the Premier League.”

Can John McGinn help Aston Villa secure promotion this season?

Villa came agonizingly close to securing promotion back to the Premier League last season, eventually succumbing to a 1-0 playoff final defeat against Fulham at Wembley.

The midlands club came under heavy financial pressure in the summer with players such as Jack Grealish expected to be sold (the BBC), but new investment meant they could retain their leading stars.

Furthermore, Villa managed to strengthen late in the transfer window with McGinn joining from Hibs and both Yannck Bolasie and Tammy Abraham arriving on loan from Premier League clubs.

McGinn has added a new dimension in Villa’s midfield, being a more direct goal-threat alongside the creative Grealish and the duo have struck up a positive on-field understanding already.

Villa arguably have a stronger squad than last season despite losing John Terry and top scorer Lewis Grabban, although manager Steve Bruce has come under some pressure following Villa’s five-game winless run in all competitions.

With McGinn capable of netting up to 15 goals from midfield this season and Abraham a potential leading Championship scorer, Villa certainly have the tools for promotion and it’s up to Bruce to put it all together.