One player Unai Emery berated on the touchline has become one of Aston Villa’s most invaluable talents.
Aston Villa are currently on a five-match winless run in all competitions but as the international break commences, it’s important to remember where the club have come from in the past two years.
When Unai Emery arrived in October 2022, the Villans were embroiled in a relegation tussle, and the Spaniard was only expected to save them from danger.
Fast-forward two years, and Villa is now plying its trade in the Champions League while challenging for the Premier League’s top four.
Emery deserves unbelievable praise for the job he’s done at Villa Park, and for the incredible improvement of several players.
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Unai Emery once berated Lucas Digne in front of Aston Villa teammates
One player who has undergone an impressive transformation in a Villa shirt is the ‘fantastic’ Lucas Digne, who Steven Gerrard signed for £25 million at the start of 2022.
The Frenchman was once an outcast in Birmingham, often struggling to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI.
Last season, the 31-year-old shared playing responsibilities with fellow left-back Alex Moreno, and although he managed 33 appearances in the Premier League, he still didn’t have the best relationship with Emery.
In Villa’s 4-2 win over Nottingham Forest in February, Emery had a heated exchange with Digne. As reported by Metro, the Spanish tactician suddenly spun around and strode towards the bench with his finger pointing at the left-back.
The former Everton man appeared to be stunned by the sudden outburst and was confused as to why he was being berated when he wasn’t even on the pitch.
Asked about the strange – and rather heated – exchange with Digne, Emery explained: “It’s something I am discussing with the players on the bench, some tactical ideas their team-mates are taking, and trying to advise them.”
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Emery shares admiration for Lucas Digne
Digne was an important player for Villa last season as they qualified for the Champions League but now he’s made himself undroppable in the top flight, as discovered by new signing Ian Maatsen.
The attacking full-back has played every single Premier League match this term and provided two assists, leaving Emery impressed by how much Digne has improved.
“One thing is clear, he has improved a lot defensively, focusing on the tactical idea we have,” shared Emery.
“He’s defending better than when we arrived here. Offensively, we use him intelligently and with his very good crossing. He works at a very good tempo and can go higher when we need it.”
From being berated at the start of the year to now becoming one of his most important players, Digne continues to go from strength to strength and it’s brilliant to see.
