AdminAston Villa youngster Aidan Borland has revealed how club captain John McGinn has played an important role in his development while he continues to gain valuable experience away from Villa Park.
The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Accrington Stanley in League Two, where he is looking to make the most of regular first-team football.
The midfielder says McGinn has been one of his key sounding boards and has offered valuable guidance both on and off the pitch.
Boreland said: “No, it’s been great ever since I went down. He’s looked after me and looked out for me on the training pitch and gave me his number to reach out if I ever needed anything on and off the pitch. So there’s no better role model than the captain of your country.
“Also being the captain of your club, as someone to look up to and obviously helps as well having boys through the academy that I’ve known from a young age, being Scottish players as well. So it definitely helps you settle in.”
The defensive midfielder was part of Villa’s FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2025, playing the full 90 minutes in their 3-1 victory over Manchester City. George Hemmings also featured and has since broken into Unai Emery’s first-team plans.
Borland sees Hemmings’ progress as proof that academy players can earn their chance.
He continued: “So I think it’s just about doing everything right that when the opportunity comes around, whether it’s training or on the pitch that you take your opportunity and he’s obviously done that really well this season with coming in and keeping his place. It is definitely one for all the academy boys to see and push towards.”
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