Unai Emery has found himself suffering a headache for selection of late at Aston Villa, with Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno both fighting for the starting spot at left-back however, some frailties in Moreno’s game have been identified.
For all of the injuries that Aston Villa have faced this season, Unai Emery is still having to roll the dice over one positional selection.
While the Villans have been starved of both central and right-sided defenders throughout the campaign due to key absences, the manager has two evenly-matched left-backs wanting game time.
Both Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno have struggled themselves with injury this season although, with both defenders back to full match fitness, Emery has found himself switching between the two when it comes to starting.
It’s a strong position for the manager to be in considering Villa’s shortages elsewhere however, despite juggling the duo, there is some belief that the Villans are not seeing the full potential of Moreno.
The differences that have been seen in Alex Moreno this season
Last campaign, the Spaniard impressed many after arriving at Villa Park in January 2023, instantly slotting into Emery’s plans, making 19 appearances in his first taste of the Premier League.
While the start of the defender’s debut term at Villa was strong, the 30-year-old was struck down by injury in May, seeing him out of action for almost five months through the summer.
Journalist Jacob Tanswell believes that the Villans are yet to see the levels that Moreno produced in his first season, with injury potentially playing a factor in his dip in performance.
When speaking on the 1874 Podcast, Tanswell said:
“I haven’t seen the best of Moreno yet, whether it’s injury as well.”
“He’s a guy that relies on sprint speed, that sharp acceleration, with his hamstring injury, it went on for so long with the 5-6 months he was out for, it does take a while not only to get up to speed physically but mentally as well.”
“The issue I have with Moreno as well is not necessarily his attacking thrust, it’s defensively as well, he’s diving in, and he’s a bit erratic defensively.”
“He doesn’t look as secure, so even though he’s not going forward with the same finesse, he’s looking a little vulnerable going back.”
Alex Moreno’s numbers have dipped this season
As Tanswell noted, the hamstring injury that Moreno suffered just before the summer will have had a significant impact on his range of movement after such an extensive recovery.
The numbers highlight just how much the £35k-a-week Spaniard’s game has dropped off since last season, particularly when attempting to push forward.
As per FBref, Moreno averaged 4.40 progressive carries and 1.56 successful take-ons per 90 last term in the Premier League, compared to his 2.79 progressive carries and 1.44 successful take-ons per 90 this campaign.
While it’s not a hugely drastic difference, it is traceable that the 30-year-old has suffered a dip in that area of his game, with Tanswell also raising his defensive frailties.
The elements that aren’t quite piecing together for the left-back attribute to Digne’s ability to challenge him for a spot in the starting XI, seeing Emery result in trialling each player depending on the challenges a fixture may surface.
As mentioned, it’s a predicament that the manager will be less stressed about given Villa’s current injury list however, it will be interesting to see who the Spaniard selects to start on the left for the games ahead.
