Unai Emery has transformed the fortunes of several Aston Villa players since arriving at the club in October 2022.
Emery is a truly world-class manager, whose tactical knowledge and man management has brought him four Europa League triumphs and a Champions League finish with Aston Villa.
The latter was an unthinkable possibility when he arrived at Villa Park almost two years ago, as the Villans were a sleeping giant, loitering close to the relegation zone.
Emery somehow masterminded a seventh-place finish in the 2022/23 campaign and then went one better as Villa finished in fourth last term.
Along the way to securing a place in Europe’s elite competition, the Spaniard improved the fortunes of several players, including Lucas Digne.
Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne explains how Unai Emery took his game to the ‘next level’
Experienced left-back Digne recently returned to the international fold with France and has seen his game transform dramatically since Emery arrived.
From being cast into the shadows at first to deservedly starting over new signing Ian Maatsen, a lot of improvements have been made to his game to accelerate his progress.
Speaking in an interview with L’Equipe, as relayed by Get French Football News, the 31-year-old has explained how having Emery at the helm has taken him to the ‘next level’ and seen the tactical side of his game evolve.
There are certain tactical nuances such as his defensive shape that Digne believes have increased tenfold under Emery’s guidance.
“The arrival of the manager (Emery) took me to the next level,” Digne said. “I have a great feeling with him. He has given me a lot of advice and has allowed me to evolve tactically, in terms of positioning.
“For example, he taught me how to better orientate my body in defensive phases. I turn towards my central defender, always, so that I am perfectly aligned, and when there is a ball behind my back, I don’t turn towards the touchline, but towards our own goal by making an arced circle in order to gain time.
“At the start, it wasn’t easy to adopt because we have different instincts but it came little by little and it is super efficient.”
Ian Maatsen has improved Lucas Digne’s performance levels
Villa confirmed the £37.5 million arrival of Maatsen from Chelsea this summer and this transfer has inadvertently helped Digne perform to his optimum ability.
The Frenchman knew that he would have to be at the top of his game to stay in the starting XI and he’s done exactly that.
Digne was replaced by Maatsen from the bench in the win over West Ham but he’s deservedly started each of their three Premier League games.
In the win over Leicester City last time out, his peach of a cross found the head of Jhon Duran, who doubled their lead at the King Power stadium.
His wand of a left foot has proven to be a vital weapon from wide areas and for as long as he continues to produce these performances, Emery will have no reason to drop him.
