McGinn set for new Aston Villa deal as Emery’s iron man fends off Premier League suitors

John McGinn, the beating heart of Aston Villa’s midfield, is on the brink of penning fresh terms at Villa Park after a summer of admiring glances from Everton, Newcastle and West Ham. Season after season he’s answered the bell, and according to respected reporter John Percy, negotiations are now advanced to keep the Scot in claret and blue for the long haul.

Emery’s ever-present enforcer

Under Unai Emery this season, McGinn has started every Premier League match — a testament to his durability, discipline and downright refusal to take a breather. He stitches Villa together: tenacious in the press, tidy on the ball, and never shy of dragging his side up the pitch when the game gets scruffy. That relentless edge is why Villa are moving quickly to lock him down.

Summer suitors sent packing

Everton, Newcastle and West Ham all fancied their chances in the summer window. Villa’s response? Thanks, but no thanks. With the club shifting focus to securing key pillars, McGinn sits near the top of that list — and rightly so. Former pro Lee Mair even dubbed him a “superstar”, a label the Villa faithful would struggle to argue with on current form.

A shrewd bit of business that keeps paying off

Since arriving from Hibernian in 2018, McGinn has been the definition of value: a player whose output far outstrips the initial outlay. Percy places him alongside Paul McGrath as one of Villa’s greatest bits of business — high praise, but not hyperbole when you weigh up consistency, leadership and the big-game moments he’s delivered.

The contract conundrum

Here’s the intrigue: his existing deal runs to 2027, and he turns 31 this weekend. How long do Villa go? The club’s willingness to extend speaks volumes about his fitness levels and standards around Bodymoor Heath. Give a player like this the right platform and he gives you seasons of seven-out-of-ten minimum — with the occasional nine when the stage is set.

What it means for Villa’s ambitions

Villa are building something that looks and feels sustainable, and keeping their cultural leaders is vital. McGinn isn’t just legs and lungs — he sets the tone without the ball and brings a calm head when the tempo spikes. Tie him down and you send a message to the rest of the division: momentum isn’t an accident, it’s a plan.

In short, Villa are doubling down on identity and standards — the core stays put. If you’re weighing up the race for European spots and fancying a punt, have a look at the market moves across the best betting sites — McGinn staying put only strengthens Villa’s hand.

Bottom line

Talks are advanced, the player is integral, and the club’s intent is crystal clear. If McGinn maintains this level for the next few years, Percy’s claim that he ranks among Villa’s best-ever bits of business will look smarter by the week.