MCGINN A TONIC

Scot fizzes in winner to cheer up Villa

- BY JOHN TOWNLEY

UNAI EMERY will hope that the gloomy cloud brewing over Villa Park is finally lifting after their first win of the season at the seventh attempt.

It will not be the first time he has captain John McGinn to thank, either, after the Scot's 13th-minute strike sealed a much-needed victory.

But Emery must have wondered what was coming when the crossbar denied Bologna’s Santiago Castro an equaliser with a quarter of the match still to play, after sub Ollie Watkins had fluffed his lines from the penalty spot.

Six matches, two defeats and elimination from one cup competition already this season was certainly not the start Villa's head coach would have had in mind.