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Micah Richards has raved about the talent of Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, as well as suggesting that his quality goes under the radar because of his teammate Jack Grealish.

McGinn is an all-action central midfielder that started last season in brilliant form for the Midlands club, before an ankle injury interrupted his campaign and his form subsequently dipped.

The 25-year-old looks back to his very best in the new season, scoring one goal and supplying three assists in the opening three league games.

He is a left-footed Scotland international that is an ever-present in Dean Smith’s XI when available and a key man at Villa Park.

Richards feels that he is perhaps underrated from the outside, as club captain and talisman Grealish usually grabs the headlines with his performances.

“This season he’s been absolutely incredible, back to the John McGinn I know,” Richards told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

“A lot of shine goes off of him because of Grealish because Grealish does the little bits that make people stand up on their chairs, but in terms of hard work, putting in tackles, goals and assists, John McGinn is a top, top player.

“Villa have been a successful side largely down to him as well and his work-rate in there.”

TBR’s View:

McGinn may not yet be the biggest name in the Premier League, but he’s certainly a real favourite with all Villa fans and they know how key the box-to-box midfielder is for them.

He has got every attribute to be an elite player and it won’t be a surprise if the big clubs are sniffing around for him soon.

But Villa enjoyed a remarkably strong transfer window that showed their ambition as a club moving forward and McGinn is very much part of that.