Scotland talisman warms up for international duty with stunner as Harvey Barnes saga takes new twist
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Two big goals in a week for key Scotland starJohn McGinn warmed up for Scotland duty by netting a stunning opener for Aston Villa in a 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.The midfielder scored for the second time this week after also getting on the scoresheet in the midweek 2-0 victory over Lille that ensured Villa progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals.McGinn's return from a two-month absence has helped revive a Villa side that took just eight points from a possible 24 in the Premier League while their skipper was out with a knee injury sustained against Everton on January 18.John McGinn celebrates scoring Aston Villa's opener in the 2-0 win over West Ham. McGinn now has seven goals for the season and 37 overall in Villa colours since joining the club in 2018.
Ollie Watkins sealed the win for Villa in the second half.Villa boss Emery admitted afterwards that McGinn is rising to the challenge set by the Spaniard to increase his numbers this season. "With John McGinn, half of his challenge was to up his numbers," Emery said.
He’s now adding numbers and with those numbers we can keep our position in the table.“He is versatile, he’s played fantastic on the left side during the season but I decided to move him inside.“I’m delighted how the players responded on the field. When you are not winning, everything looks more difficult and we needed to recover.”Fourth-placed Villa are now six points clear of Chelsea in sixth in the race for a Champions League place.Harvey Barnes is set to be called up by England after rejecting Scotland's advances. | Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes, who recently turned down an approach to switch allegiance to Scotland, is set to be called up to the England squad to replace the injured Eberechi Eze.Eze missed Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City due to a lower leg problem and, according to reports, Barnes will be drafted into the senior squad for only the second time.The 28-year-old won his only cap in October 2020 in a friendly against Wales and will now be given a chance to force his way into Thomas Tuchel's World Cup plans.He had been courted by Scotland as he qualified through his maternal grandparents, but boss Steve Clarke confirmed last month the player would not be making the switch.The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly