‘We were the better team’ – McGinn

John McGinn hailed a deserved Champions League win for Aston Villa, who secured a third-straight victory in all competitions with a thrilling 3-2 triumph at RB Leipzig.

Villa took the lead three times in Germany, as substitute Ross Barkley finally sealed another huge three points in the competition in the 85th minute, just two minutes after being introduced.

Skipper McGinn praised his side’s control in the game, and felt they fully deserved to take the spoils back to Birmingham.

He said: “I thought we controlled the game well. Throughout the game, we didn’t allow Leipzig to have a lot of chances.

“I think the two goals we conceded were really poor from our point of view.

“They’re a good team at home. I know they’ve struggled in the Champions League, but we knew they’d be a threat.

“We thought they were going to set up in a back three or a back five, and they actually set up in a back four, which suited us a little bit more.

“Then they changed to a five which caused us a little bit more of a problem, but we dealt with it well.

“I think, overall, we were the better team, and we could have scored a couple more.

“What we needed today after a tough run of games was the subs to come on and make an impact, and who better than Ross to come up with the winner?”

With 13 points from a possible 18 leaving the Villans third in the league phase with two matches remaining, McGinn admits the mood in the camp is one of excitement. 

The Scotsman was pleased to help his side return to winning ways in the competition, opening the scoring just three minutes in, and is looking forward to the final two outings.

“It’s exciting,” he added.

“We had a couple of disappointing results off the back of a great start, but it’s really exciting to be involved and to be in that top three position.

“It’s a bit surreal, but we want to keep going. We’ve got a tough game against Monaco, then at home against Celtic.”