By Alan Hutton

11th Sep, 2019 | 7:00pm

'He got the coaching he needed' - Hutton in awe of 'Outstanding' Villa man transformed by Smith

EXCLUSIVE

Alan Hutton has hailed John McGinn as an “outstanding” Aston Villa player transformed by the coaching of Dean Smith.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Villa defender explained why the Scotland international, 24, has emerged as the star player at the Premier League outfit.

Hutton spent a season sharing a dressing room with his fellow Scot following his transfer from Hibernian in the summer of 2018.

McGinn has played the best football of his career since Smith replaced Steve Bruce at Villa Park.

“There really is a few individuals the manager brought the best out of,” Hutton told Football Insider. “You only need to look at the likes of Jack Grealish, John McGinn, these types of guys.

“I know Jack missed the start of the season but the likes of John coming from Scotland to a big club with big expectations, I mean I really think Dean Smith got the best out of him.

“There’s a player who I thought was a good player but it wasn’t until I actually worked with him and he got the coaching that he needed and he really kicked on. He is probably one of the outstanding players in my opinion.”

McGinn has made 48 appearances for the Midlands giants in all competitions, scoring eight goals as well as supplying 11 assists from central midfield.

In other Aston Villa news, it can be REVEALED that Dean Smith has given the green light for the club to sell one of his signings.