Ty Bracey hopes Unai Emery arrival keeps Douglas Luiz at Aston Villa long-term
We’re delighted to welcome Villa View host Ty Bracey as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Ty Bracey is hopeful that Douglas Luiz will buy into the Aston Villa project under new boss Unai Emery and remain at the club long term.
Having entered the last year of his previous deal the Brazilian signed a new long-term contract with the club on 14 October, after remaining at Villa Park on deadline day in the face of repeated bids from Arsenal.
Bracey isn’t convinced that the midfielder is certainly going to stay at the end of the season but is relieved that he now won’t be going on a free transfer if he does leave.
“Look, whether that [the Arsenal move] happens or not, it significantly increases the value,” he said, speaking exclusively to Villa News.
“So either way he’s not leaving us the mud, but I’d like to think that it’s him believing in the project.
“I’d like to believe that, especially now there’s a new manager coming in, he knows what this manager’s about.
“You only need to have a quick look online and see what he’s done and where he’s come from.
“So hopefully he can see that vision and be a part of it, because he’s been working really hard on the pitch.
“I thought he was outstanding against Brentford [on 23 October], he worked really hard all game.
“So I really hope it’s a long-term thing and we tie him down, but if he chooses to go at least it’s not on a free.”
The signs are positive with regards to Luiz remaining at the club for the foreseeable future when two months ago it looked like that ship had sailed.
Turning down decent money for him on deadline day seemed like a risk, but with the club performing so badly it would also have been troubling to see an important option leave.
Had the Steven Gerrard era staggered on too far in the manner that it was then the former Manchester City player would likely have still had an eye on an exit despite the new deal, but with Emery on his way and a tactical reshuffle on the cards there is every chance that he can be convinced to remain.
In other Aston Villa news, Chris Sutton has labeled the Emi Martinez situation at Newcastle “shambolic”.