BBC Sport pundit ‘disappointed’ after official Aston Villa announcement today
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton is “disappointed” that Lucas Digne is facing a spell on the sidelines, but believes Alex Moreno is more than capable of filling the void for Aston Villa.
Villa boss Unai Emery confirmed at Friday’s (29 December) pre-match press conference ahead of facing Burnley, as per the club’s official website, that Digne is going to miss around “20 to 25 days” of action.
The France international sustained the hamstring injury during the Villans’ 3-2 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League on Tuesday (26 December).
Digne is now set to miss games with Burnley and Everton in the Premier League, as well as the FA Cup third-round tie with Middlesbrough.
Moreno is a like-for-like replacement at left-back, but he has been restricted to just one top-flight start this season, with his other five appearances coming from the substitutes’ bench.
Discussing the injury blow with Villa News, Hutton said: “Of course I’m disappointed – you never want to see somebody get injured.
“But Moreno came in to take that position and make it his own. Digne showed great character to fight back and keep his place.
“Digne’s been in really good form. Defensively, he could do better, but what he gives you going forward is very good.
“Villa are lucky that they’ve got another option there that can come in and do basically the same job.
“Moreno can come in at the back post, he likes to get on the end of things, so he ticks all of the boxes really for Unai Emery.
“It’s not ideal, but at least you have someone that can come in and take that position.”
Emery will also be without Youri Tielemans for Saturday’s (30 December) visit of Burnley, but Pau Torres is in contention to start after being named on the bench against Man United.
In other Aston Villa news, a pundit has shared what he finds “funny” about recent developments at Villa Park.