John McGinn forced to deploy Hibs experience at Aston Villa after 'rotten' Champions League problem

The midfielder captained Villa in the Champions League | Getty Images

John McGinn admits he had to roll back the years to time at the likes of Hibs when leading Aston Villa out in the Champions League.

On their return to Europe’s top table, the former Easter Road midfielder skippered Unai Emery’s side to a comfortable 3-0 win over Swiss side Young Boys. The challenge goes up a notch in their next match though, when Bayern Munich come to Birmingham off the back of trouncing Dinamo Zagreb 9-2.

The pitch in Switzerland was plastic, and not a very good artificial surface at that according to the Hibs hero who had plenty of experience on them in Leith. He featured for the club on astro pitches such as Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Hamilton during his stint in the capital after leaving St Mirren.

Artificial pitches in Scotland have been given the nod over the one Aston Villa found themselves on in Switzerland, as boss Unai Emery’s calming words proved key to victory. McGinn told TNT Sports after the game: "It was brilliant, it was a little bit strange hearing that music, but it is everything you work for."Some players wait until they're 18, some players wait until they are a bit older, so it is a special night and a great three points.

"Before he (Emery) joined us he was in European competition for 16 years in a row, that is some record and he reminded us of that. He was very demanding, he played here with Villarreal a few years ago, and they were 2-0 up at half-time. But Young Boys nearly came back, so at half-time, he was very cautious.

"He was on our case, and he was very keen to slow the game down. I know we wanted the third goal, but he wanted a bit more caution and a bit more composure. It was not perfect. I am sure we will come up against probably stronger opposition in the upcoming games, but it is a tough place to come.

"The astro is not the best. I am used to it as there were a few pitches in Scotland that had it, but the ones in Scotland are better than this, that was rotten. This manager, he trains you for these moments, stay calm and pick your moments. In that second half, we had good control, and it allowed us to grow as a team. I think we are maturing as a team, and it has helped us.”