Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has provided a telling update on the future of Aston Villa centre-back Clement Lenglet.
Clement Lenglet’s future at Aston Villa has been up in the air due to a lack of game time this season.
It was reported on Wednesday that the Frenchman would be likely to exit the club in January amid interest from AC Milan.
Lenglet is currently on loan from Barcelona but hasn’t played as much as he would have liked since arriving at Villa Park.
Although the 28-year-old has shone in the Europa Conference League, he’s played no minutes in the Premier League, though that is going to change against Sheffield United tonight.
Unai Emery was struck with a significant injury blow to star defender Pau Torres and it was leaked by Douglas Luiz that he would be unavailable for tonight’s game.
Now, Emery has revealed that Lenglet is going to feature against the Blades while providing a positive update on his future at the club.
What has Unai Emery said about Clement Lenglet?
Most Villa fans were consigned to Lenglet departing in January but considering he’s the only current fit left-footed defender in the squad, the chances of him leaving are now slim.
In the latest update regarding his future, the Spaniard has said he wants to keep the French titan at Villa Park and is excited to see him get the opportunities he deserves.
As revealed by Fabrizio Romano on X, he said: “I want to keep Lenglet at Villa in the second part of the season.
“Tomorrow he’s gonna play. I’m wishing to see him, I’m really very excited about how he will help us.
“We need players for the challenges we are going to face this season”.
Lenglet deserves his chance in the starting XI
Although Lenglet has rarely featured this season and has only demonstrated his talent in Europe, it’s about time he gets a chance in the Premier League.
In any normal season, the Frenchman would have played a regular part in Emery’s plans, but given the abundance of talent at the Spaniard’s disposal, the on-loan Barca defender hasn’t had a look in.
Now, in Pau’s absence, Lenglet can stake his claim for a spot in the starting XI.
He’ll be coming up against an attack that has had the fewest shots (142) and lowest xG (13) this season.
United are also the only Premier League team yet to score a first-half goal away from home.
The £150k-a-week star will want to give a good account of himself and ensure the above record continues while helping Villa climb to the top of the table.
