Aston Villa have entered the international break in a strong position but Unai Emery is faced with many decisions to ponder.
It’s been a terrific start to the season for Aston Villa, who sit fifth in the Premier League with four wins from seven matches and have won both their Champions League matches, including last week’s famous victory over Bayern Munich.
The aim for Unai Emery this season is to prove the doubters wrong and finish in the league’s top four while juggling commitments in Europe’s elite competition.
Emery will be pleased with the start his side has made however, the international break presents an opportunity to reflect on what changes need making, with one player deserving of a starting berth.
Ian Maatsen deserves to start more games for Aston Villa
Ian Maatsen was captured from Chelsea for £37.5 million in the summer.
The Dutchman was seen as an instant starter under Emery, with many expecting Lucas Digne to become more of a squad player.
However, the Frenchman has started the season strongly and cemented his position at left-back while restricting Maatsen to substitute appearances in the Premier League and Champions League.
Emery has been given no reason to drop Digne on his current form however, with a hectic fixture scheduled on the horizon and the promise Maatsen has shown from the bench should point towards starts for the 22-year-old.
After all, in just 118 minutes of action in the top flight, the former Borussia Dortmund loanee has created six chances for Villa, equalling the total of Digne despite playing far fewer minutes.
Maatsen – who reached the Champions League final with Dortmund last term – is the long-term solution at left-back but his impact from the bench is giving Emery food for thought.
Ian Maatsen should start vs Fulham
Following the second international break of the season, Aston Villa head to Fulham in the Premier League looking to maintain their unbeaten away run.
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Emery could welcome back long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara for that fixture while Maatsen will be pushing for a start.
The ‘terrific’ Dutchman has showcased his threat as an attacking outlet down the left, perhaps more than Digne, and his pace could be crucial to unlocking the Fulham defence.
Further, with Villa playing a Champions League match against Bologna three days later, Emery could choose to rest Digne for that match and start Maatsen instead.
