Aston Villa’s John McGinn set to be fit for Premier League start after knee injury

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn is expected to be fit in time for the start of the Premier League season after sustaining a knee injury.

Villa assessed their captain after he was forced to come off in Tuesday’s 3-1 friendly win against BG Pathum in Thailand.

McGinn was replaced after landing awkwardly on his left knee. Unai Emery decided against McGinn continuing once he returned to his feet.

Initial assessments suggested the injury was not serious for McGinn, but results of a MRI scan to determine the full extent of the issue did not return until Thursday.

It is not yet known if he will miss Villa’s Super Cup final against Paris Saint Germain on August 12, alongside club record signing Johan Manzambi, who is recovering from his own knee injury in Spain.

However, results indicate optimism that McGinn will be able to feature in Villa’s Premier League curtain-raiser away to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 23.

Defender Ezri Konsa, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and striker Ollie Watkins have not yet returned following their participation with their respective countries in the World Cup and face a tight schedule to feature in the Super Cup.

Villa will play Bayern Munich in Hong Kong on Friday before returning to England and continuing preparations ahead of the new season.