top star explains what Aston Villa must do next and makes Champions League prediction

BirminghamLive brings you the latest Aston Villa news as John McGinn hails ‘superb’ win over Newcastle United

John McGinn insists Aston Villa must make Villa Park a “fortress” in their bid to secure European football in the final weeks of the season.

Unai Emery’s side took a huge step in their quest by beating Champions League hopefuls Newcastle United 3-0 at Villa Park, but there’s still plenty of football to be played. Villa currently occupies a sixth position with seven games left and managed to close the gap to fifth on Saturday after Tottenham Hotspur lost to Bournemouth at home. Brighton and Liverpool both have games in hand on Villa before they face off against Emery’s side in May.

McGinn has played a key role in Villa’s turnaround under Emery and the Villa skipper put in another relentless performance in the win over Newcastle. Jacob Ramsey opened the scoring in the first half before Ollie Watkins bagged a brace in the second period to take the game away from the Toon.

“It was a superb performance,” McGinn said. “Newcastle is a very, very good team. They remind me of Leeds a couple of years ago; in the build-up to the game, you know you’ve got to run and fight and prepare a bit extra.

“Even at 1-0, they are bringing on players who can change the game. The third goal was sweet, then we could enjoy it.

“We’ve not had that feeling for some time. I think Newcastle will get the Champions League because they deserve it.

“They’ve made St James’ Park a real fortress; we saw that earlier on this season. We’ve managed to do the same; we are playing well. Long make that continue.

“We can all dream. There was a spell six weeks ago when it was unrealistic; we deserve credit for this, but why stop now?”