'Brilliant' Aston Villa veteran picked out for individual praise in an FA Cup third round win over Tottenham Hotspur
Match of the Day pundits Rob Green and Dion Dublin focused on the influence of John McGinn as they analysed Aston Villa's fine FA Cup win at Tottenham Hotspur.
McGinn, playing on the right of three players behind striker Donyell Malen, was key to Villa's play in a 2-1 away win that was secured thanks to first-half goals from Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers.
"John McGinn - and Emi Buendia - dictated play in the first half. They were brilliant," said former keeper Green.
"It's all about understanding your role and tucking inside when he (McGinn) needed to tuck inside. Palhinha and (Archie) Gray, the two central midfielders for Tottenham, just couldn't live with him and his timing of his movement and then his link up play to the front two.
"From there Villa just completely stole the show.
"He drifted in between the midfield two which led to Buendia's goal - and Buendia was doing the same from the other side, coming into central positions and just rotating the play at times. It was so difficult for Spurs to pick him at any point in the game."
Ex-Villa striker Dublin had praise for McGinn's impact on and off the ball.
He said: "He seems to do all the ugly stuff very, very well that no one else wants to do - but he also affects where his teammates are.
"He can bounce the ball, keep it nice and simple, not complicating it.
"He's a leader, he makes sure that all his team are accountable for their actions, he's pointing, he's shouting.
"With that armband, he is their leader and it works for him."