John McGinn hit the clinching goal to send Aston Villa into the Premier League yesterday – but he claimed he was more nervous watching his siblings at St Mirren 24 hours earlier.
The Scotland midfielder and Villa had £170million reasons to celebrate as Dean Smith’s side beat Derby 2-1 in the Premier League Play-off Final at Wembley in front of 85,826 fans.
But McGinn admitted that he was more thrilled for brothers Stephen and Paul after they helped Saints save their Premiership skins with the relegation play-off victory over Dundee United on Sunday.
The McGinn family travelled to Wembley to see John play and he revealed mum Mary was in bits.
But there will be no rest for the boys after their exploits at the Simple Digital Arena and Wembley as Stephen is getting married on Friday with John and Paul his best men.
Moments after Villa had secured their return to the EPL, John said: “It’s surreal. I was probably more nervous watching the St Mirren v Dundee United play-off final than I was playing at Wembley.
“St Mirren got the job done and deservedly so. It’s been a tough season for the club but Paul and Stephen have been different class.
“I went straight up to see them after the game so we could all celebrate. My mum is an emotional wreck. It’s gone everyone’s way this weekend.”
John’s focus will soon turn to wedding bells and speeches on the big day.
He said: “It was tough to fit it in with Stephen and Paul having play-off games as well. It’s going to be the best week of our lives.
“We have all won our play-off games and I’m going to be so proud watching him get married. I’m hopefully going to leave it to Paul and I’ll just say one or two words. Hopefully I can relax.”
Villa were making a quick-fire return to Wembley after a heartbreaking 1-0 final defeat to Fulham last season.
Anwar El Ghazi opened the scoring just before the break with a diving header following a cross from the right by Ahmed Elmohamady.
McGinn made it 2-0 in 59 minutes when a deflected shot from El Ghazi looped into the area. Derby keeper Kelle Roos came out but was unable to capture the ball under a challenge from the Scot who bundled the ball home.
Derby got back in the game when sub Jack Marriott’s low shot was turned in by Martyn Waghorn but Villa held on.
For McGinn it was a happier return to the stadium for the player who had to sit out Scotland’s World Cup qualifier with the Auld Enemy in 2016. He said: “I was gutted the night Scotland played and I missed out. We played well but sitting in the stand was gutting. These things drive you on.
“I wanted to come back and play at Wembley and coming here and scoring the winner is a dream come true. We are going to let it sink in and enjoy it.”
The showdown was watched by Villa fan Prince William, who celebrated enthusiastically at the final whistle.
The club’s media team then quickly knocked up a tweet showing the Duke of Cambridge knighting Smith.
The Villa boss said: “I haven’t met him yet but I would like to. I could tell him he supports the right team.”
It was an emotional day for the Smith family too, all brought up as Villa fans, and especially after he had revealed his father Ron suffers from dementia and doesn’t know his son is the head coach.
He added: “I went to see my old man on Friday and he kept his eyes open for two minutes. I told him the next time I come to see him I will be a Premier League manager, and he smiled.”
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