John McGinn exclusive: Aston Villa midfielder says ‘brilliant’ Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio haven’t shown any ‘ego’

Aston Villa are in Belgium to face Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League last 16 on Tuesday night - live on TNT Sports and discovery+. John McGinn, in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, has hailed the club's January signings and given his verdict on the Champions League campaign so far. Villa were beaten by Brugge in the league phase last November.

McGinn impressed by new Villa signings - 'No ego about them, they work hard'

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John McGinn has praised the impact of new Aston Villa signings Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen.

The trio of attackers arrived in the January transfer window, providing a timely boost for Villa as they look to advance in the UEFA Champions League.

Unai Emery's side face Club Brugge in the last 16 on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Villa were beaten 1-0 by the Belgian side in the league phase last November, but they have since boosted their attacking options.

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"They've been a breath of fresh air, three really good guys, obviously come with big reputations but they haven't shown any ego," McGinn told TNT Sports.

"They're pretty low maintenance, they work hard to get their careers back on track. They obviously weren't playing at their clubs, so what we can give them is a platform to do that and be happy, and all we want in return is for them to be a good team-mate, work hard, do the things we've all been doing over the last couple of seasons and show their quality. They've been brilliant."

Asked about the new signings in a press conference on Monday, McGinn said: "There's no big egos, well we've not seen that yet if there is.

"Obviously they come with a huge reputation but they've fitted in nicely."

McGinn is aware of the threat posed by Club Brugge, who have impressed in the Champions League this season.

Highlights: Brugge halt Villa’s perfect start after bizarre Mings penalty incident

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"We know the opportunity we have in front of us: a very, very difficult opportunity to get into the quarter-finals in Europe's elite competition, so we're not going to take it for granted," McGinn said. "The last time we played here [Brugge] we weren't good enough at all and we deserved to lose, so we know what's needed to change that. We've got the opportunity to do something special and something we haven't done for a long time.

"I suppose they'll be pleased, they'll think 'we know we can beat Aston Villa'. At this stage of the competition you're always going to come up against teams who've done well, who deserve to be here. We definitely have some sporting revenge and we need to amend what was a poor night. Initially, being back here is bad memories but we can change that tomorrow night."

Villa have experience in the latter stages of European competition, having reached the UEFA Conference League semi-finals last season, losing to Greek side Olympiacos.

"Maybe we were a little bit inexperienced in the semi-final last year, the way we went gung-ho in the first leg, it's not the way the manager wanted it," McGinn said. "That experience should help us for the two-legged ties coming up.

"The game's not going to be won tomorrow night either way. We know we have to be strong at the back, try to keep a clean sheet, and we know we can be dangerous on the counter.

"We're a very different team now from the team Club Brugge faced a few months ago, but they've got stronger as well, they've got better at home. They started off here with a 3-0 defeat and then from there they're pretty much unbeaten [at home], so we know they're a tough nut to crack."

Asked about his journey from the Championship to the Champions League with Villa, McGinn added: "It's mad. When you're in it - travelling, playing, focus on the next game - you don't take a step back and reflect. But it's amazing.

"Myself, Tyrone [Mings], Jacob [Ramsey] have all been on this journey, amongst a lot of the staff, all these people who've been with the club when it maybe wasn't so good. I've been fortunate to be on a crazy journey and hopefully it can continue and we can create even better memories, more special nights, more success.

"But we know the formula for that's hard work, that's what's got us here so far. When you're in the midst of it you don't really reflect, you just get on with it and enjoy it."

'Biggest challenge this year' - Emery

Villa boss Emery has highlighted the task ahead of Villa.

"The Champions League is something amazing for the supporters, for the club," he told TNT Sports. "The history of Aston Villa is a huge history, even in the European Cup when they won [in 1982] was something amazing.

"To repeat now this way like we are doing, and to be excited, motivated and responsible about how we can get something through the Champions League is our biggest challenge maybe this year."

Emery also praised Club Brugge's performances in the Champions League so far.

"They believe, and when you analyse them you can watch their confidence," he said. "They are feeling comfortable in this competition, they are competing very well.

"They lost one match here to Borussia Dortmund but then they beat Sporting Lisbon, they beat us, they drew with Juventus and beat Atalanta. It's an amazing result they achieved and they are here because they deserve it.

"Tomorrow will be very difficult. I think they are performing better now than the last match we played here."

'They believe and are confident' - Emery wary of Club Brugge threat in last 16

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When is Club Brugge v Aston Villa?

Club Brugge host Aston Villa at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Tuesday, March 4.

Kick-off is at 17:45 UK time on TNT Sports 1, with live coverage beginning at 17:00.

How to watch Club Brugge v Aston Villa

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

Club Brugge host Aston Villa at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Tuesday, March 4.

Kick-off is at 17:45 UK time on TNT Sports 1, with live coverage beginning at 17:00.

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