Dan Bardell: Aston Villa game plan needed Lucas Digne return despite Ashley Young form
We’re delighted to welcome The Athletic’s Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Ashley Young has been “brilliant” for Aston Villa this season and will see plenty of action still, but Unai Emery needed Lucas Digne for his first game, says Dan Bardell.
Young, 37, has covered for both Matty Cash and Digne during injury absences in recent weeks, and was arguably the Villans’ best player during that time, but was dropped to the bench for the 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the new manager’s first match.
Bardell accepts that for the former Villarreal boss’ tactical set up he needed a natural left footer on that side but expects to see plenty more of Young through the rest of the season.
He exclusively told Villa News: “I would guess that Emery just based it off training that week.
“Ashley Young’s been brilliant for us but the game plan Emery had I think probably suited having a left-footer at left-back more, because Lucas Digne was quite often picking up the ball in a lot of space and getting into good positions out wide.
“It made sense that Lucas Digne was the one that played. He’s a French international and although he hasn’t had the best of starts at Villa you know he’s a good player so when he was given specific tactical instructions and Villa actually had a playing style he stood out again.
“It was nice to see him score a free kick and nice to see Villa score a set piece as well.
“Ashley Young’s a professional, he’ll accept it and take it on the chin. It’s a new manager with new ideas but Ashley Young will see plenty of football with Villa this season.
“So far he’s been one of Villa’s better players this season and a real plus point.”
Digne was very good in the United win and put his side in a position of power with an early strike past David de Gea, so there won’t be many complaints about him returning.
Young has proven that he is more than capable whenever called upon for the rest of the campaign, but it was always going to be difficult for him to play every game with a £25million signing on the bench.
Emery hasn’t been in place for long but is sure to assess the merits of each player depending on the opposition so there could be opportunities for the veteran at multiple different positions yet.
In other Aston Villa news, the compensation paid to Rangers to appoint Steven Gerrard has been revealed.