Former Hibs’ midfielder ‘Super’ John McGinn has signed a fresh five-year contract for Aston Villa ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener at Tottenham ending speculation about a big money move to Manchester United.

McGinn scored and was man of the match in May’s 2-1 Sky Bet Championship play-off final victory over Derby which ended Villa’s three-year top-flight exile.

He scored seven goals in all competitions and made 44 appearances after signing from Hibs for £2.75million.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith said: “He has been very important for the club over the last season, integral to us getting promoted last season.

“He won Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year. He merited that contract and we want to keep the best players at Aston Villa.

“He is one of them, along with Jack Grealish who has a long-term contract.

“John, I feel, we can develop further and he is really looking forward to the season. He has earned it.”

McGinn added: “I have loved every minute of my time at Aston Villa and I am delighted to commit myself to the club for the long term.”

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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.