John McGinn believes that beating Sunderland was a huge victory and it means a lot to the team.

John McGinn called it a significant victory after Aston Villa's dramatic win over Sunderland. With five minutes remaining, Aston Villa seemed to have the game firmly in their grasp, with Ollie Watkins scoring twice and Morgan Rodgers adding another to give his team a 3-1 lead.

After the match, John McGinn said, "We controlled the game at times and had chances to extend our lead to 4-1 or even 5-1. But Sunderland is a strong team and they put a lot of pressure on us. We need to control the tempo of the game better in these situations. It's obviously unsatisfying to be tied 3-3 when we were clearly in the lead."

"However, we were also in a strong position to concede a fourth goal, but fortunately, Emmy made a crucial save. Tammy came on as a substitute in a difficult situation and scored a brilliant goal, which ultimately helped us win the game."

After defeating Sunderland, Aston Villa now lead sixth-placed Chelsea by 10 points in the Premier League standings. John McGinn added: "It means a lot to us when you see Tammy get a crucial point for the team in the final moments."

“We understand the importance of this match. Sunderland have been outstanding this season; they are a strong and difficult team to beat. This is undoubtedly a significant victory for us. The process may not have been perfect, but the final result is what matters most.”

This victory perfectly concluded Aston Villa's unforgettable four days. Previously, they defeated Bologna to advance to the Europa League semi-finals. However, captain John McGinn still believes the team has room for improvement, as Aston Villa hopes to make history in the final stages of the season.

John McGinn continued, "We are certainly very excited, but there is some disappointment in the locker room. Although we won the game, the team has high standards for itself and demands a higher level of performance from the team as a whole."

“We are in a very good position right now, having reached the semi-finals of a European competition and also in a favorable position to challenge for a top-five finish in the league. Everything is in our own hands, and we have the opportunity to achieve what Aston Villa has not been able to do for many years. The team is eager and motivated, and we need to fight hard for five more key games.”

Image source: Internet/Aston Villa official website