The Scotland international sustained a hamstring injury in the 3-1 beating of Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, and he was nowhere to be seen in the 2-1 success over Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup in midweek either.
As well as McGinn, the Lions are also without long-term duo Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings, although both could return after the October international break, while Matty Cash and Lucas Digne are both doubts.
With Bayern Munich on the horizon, the full-back duo could be kept in reserve this weekend, where Diego Carlos and Jaden Philogene are also at risk of missing out with unspecified issues.
Emery is therefore down to the bare bones at the back, where Lamare Bogarde and Ian Maatsen could operate out wide, as Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa shield Emiliano Martinez centrally.
Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana will reprise their partnership in the double pivot, and Leon Bailey should be the man to benefit from McGinn's absence in the final third.
Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey should also make up the supporting cast for Ollie Watkins, who will demote Jhon Duran to the bench despite the Colombian's midweek goal versus Wycombe.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
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