Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn is hoping that the club will keep faith with the core group of players that helped the team win promotion in the Premier League next season.

McGinn scored the winner as Villa secured their return to the top flight after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win over Derby County at Wembley on Monday.

The 24-year-old was an extremely important player for Villa this season, after joining from Hibernian in the summer and played a vital role in helping Dean Smith's side finish in the top six.

McGinn is looking forward to next season in the Premier League and is hoping that Smith will keep the core group of players that helped the team win promotion at the club next season.

“Hopefully we can keep the squad together. I know they are going to have to make a few additions but hopefully we keep the main players together and give it a good go next year," said McGinn, as quoted by the Express & Star.

"I just hope they don’t change it too much and stick with the group we have got now.”

This would include loan player Tammy Abraham, Tyrone Mings and Anwar El Ghazi, who all played their part as Villa put together a club-record ten-match winning run that catapulted them into the play-offs.

The Verdict:

I'm sure there will be a few changes at Villa Park this summer, as Smith will be looking to strengthen his squad and build a team that can compete in the Premier League next season, but it would be good if he could keep the core group of players intact.

Abraham, Mings and El Ghazi all played their part and it will be a massive boost for Villa if Smith can somehow convince them all to re-sign for the club next season.