John McGinn given Aston Villa fitness deadline as 30th birthday plans hang in the balance

Stephen McGinn has joked brother John is under pressure from the family to be fit for Aston Villa's clash with Bologna - as part of his 30th birthday celebrations.

The former St Mirren, Watford and Falkirk star was on the Go Radio pundit team as host Paul Cooney asked for an update on the fitness of the Scotland talisman. The Tartan Army favourite is currently sidelined and not part of Steve Clarke's squad for this Nations League double-header. He also missed Villa's famous Champions League win over Bayern Munich as they made it two wins from two at Europe's top table.

Speaking live on air, Stephen jokingly said behind closed doors the midfielder is feeling the heat from his family to be ready for the Champions League night under the lights at Villa Park against Bologna. Plans are in place to travel down and see him for his 30th birthday this coming Friday, alongside his sister Katie.

He told Go Radio: "Yeah, well John and my sister Katie are 30 on Friday. So we are planning to go down next week for the Bologna game in the Champions League. So he is under some domestic pressure to be fit for that one! But, nah, Hamstrings are hamstrings. You are dictated too. Andy [Walker] will know, you can't rush back a hamstring. You are another 4-6 weeks after that because you absolutely break down. You are not going to rush back."

Stephen also hailed the job done by John's boss Unai Emery at Villa hailing him as just as good as any manager in the world. He believes he is still underrated as he reflected on the journey they've made under the former Arsenal and PSG boss.

He added: "Villa are having another excellent season and I think the manager [Emery] is just as good as anyone in the world. I think he is still underrated from where