Aston Villa finally look set to start their charge for promotion, and although it has come a bit late, it looks set to be a genuine one. 

Dean Smith's side brushed aside fellow hopefuls Derby County with ease at Pride Park on Saturday, with the 3-0 win showing just how good they can be.

Since taking over, Smith has won three of his five games with Villa and his effect on the team has already been apparent, no more so than in its creativity.

One of his most notable selection choices so far has been to move Jack Grealish into a more attacking role, occupying a position behind Tammy Abraham to allow him to be more effective in the final third.

But, in Smith's favoured 4-1-4-1 formation it has also meant fellow midfielder John McGinn has been moved as well, and he too has adapted to his new spot with ease, creating one and scoring one against the Rams.

In fact, McGinn has been very good since arriving at the club in the summer, but that could soon be a cause for concern.

With the January transfer window approaching quickly there will be plenty of notes being made on the midfielder, who could join a club and give them an edge in the second half of the season.

Whether he is playing a deeper role tasked with dictating play, or he is pushed further forward in order to take a more creative stance, he has done it with ease.

Two goals already show that both positions have been working for him. One was an absolute stunner and the other was down to his attacking instincts.

An 81% pass success rate shows his ability to dictate play effectively and also how accurate a creator he can be in more attacking areas.

Having only arrived in the summer, you would think, logically, that McGinn will not be going anywhere in January. But, rarely does football follow basic logic.

For a player of the 24-year-old's obvious quality, it would be no surprise to see a huge bid come in for him and for his head to be turned at the same time.

Be wary, Villa fans.

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