In Focus: McGinn making Villa tick under Emery

John McGinn's excellent form this season has largely gone under the radar.

With Ollie Watkins, Moussa Diaby and Douglas Luiz receiving the plaudits, the unassuming midfielder has quietly played a key role in Aston Villa's success.

McGinn, 29, was once again impressive in last weekend's 3-1 victory over Luton, scoring his side's first goal and driving the Villans forward throughout.

Ahead of today's clash with Nottingham Forest, we take a closer look at his role for the high-flying Midlands outfit.

Driving force

McGinn's goal against Luton — his fourth of the season in all competitions — was taken superbly.

He received the ball on the edge of the box after a cleverly worked free-kick, before surging past two defenders and guiding his finish expertly into the bottom-left corner.

It was indicative of the confidence McGinn is playing with and was just one moment of quality in a performance full of them.

Villa are the Premier League's joint-top scorers prior to this weekend — alongside Newcastle — with 26 goals from 10 games.

But McGinn has generally left the goalscoring to his more attacking team-mates.

His job is to efficiently progress the ball through midfield at speed — and few are better at that in the top flight.

No Villa player has attempted (21) or completed (14) more take-ons than the Scotland international, who also ranks second in the squad for completed passes into the final third (98).

Emery emergence

In a team where everybody is required to know their job inside out, McGinn has thrived.

He is playing the best football of his career and looks set to better his record goal tally for a season (seven in 2018-19).

And the influence of manager Unai Emery has been credited for that eye-catching form.

McGinn said: "The manager has taken my game to another level. I can't thank him enough for what he's given me. I can't thank him enough for the help he's given me on a daily basis.

"It's a different style of play, taking more touches on the ball, seeing the game differently.

"It's a lot of hard work, it's intense, but I'm so, so fortunate to have come into his path.

"He's teaching me things I didn't think I was capable of."

Free to roam

McGinn has clearly demonstrated he has both the intelligence and versatility to succeed under Emery.

He has played all across the midfield already this season, occasionally lining up in more central areas but generally starting on the right or left flanks.

That has allowed him to drift and pick up the ball in pockets of space, where he can utilise his ability to drive forward and pick out a team-mate or take a shot.

The goals are flowing as a result.

Ahead of their trip to the City Ground, Emery will be hoping for more of the same from a player who has become indispensable in midfield.