John McGinn labels Spurs test ‘most important game’ in Villa’s recent history

‘It is probably, in a league fixture, the most important game in the club’s recent history,’ said John McGinn before Tottenham’s visit to Villa Park. Photograph: Jacob King/PA

Aston Villa’s captain, John McGinn, has described Sunday’s top-four crunch match at home to Tottenham Hotspur as the biggest league game in the club’s recent history.

Victory for Villa, who are fourth in the Premier League, would extend their buffer to fifth-placed Spurs to eight points with 10 games to play (though Spurs have played a game fewer). McGinn, who joined Villa in 2018, said the players understood the significance of the Tottenham test. Fourth place would guarantee Champions League football for Villa, who have not played in the European Cup since 1982-83.