Aston Villa team news v Chelsea – Moussa Diaby to be dropped by Unai Emery
Dan Bardell believes Moussa Diaby will be dropped as Unai Emery welcomes Douglas Luiz back into the Aston Villa starting XI v Chelsea after suspension.
The Villans welcome Mauricio Pochettino’s side to Villa Park as they look to improve their grip on fourth place above Spurs.
Emery has been handed a boost as Luiz is returning from a two-match suspension for picking up too many yellow cards.
Bardell has suggested that the Brazilian will come straight back in from the start and has discussed who could drop out.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I think he does come straight back in because he’s a real key cog of the team and it’s a bonus in some ways that he’s had a bit of a rest for the last few weekends.
“Someone has to drop out and I don’t think it will be McGinn or Tielemans. I think Diaby will be the one that misses out unless Bailey drops to the bench because he’s carrying a knock.
“I wouldn’t like to be Unai Emery right now because someone is going to be really unfortunate. It’s going to be really interesting to see what he does.
“I wouldn’t want to make that decision but I think it might be Diaby who ends up out, he seems to be the 12th man at the moment.”
Does Moussa Diaby deserve to be dropped by Aston Villa?
It has been an up-and-down season for Diaby who has still managed to score six and assist seven Premier League goals [FotMob].
He has been the only one ever-present in the Villa squad as he has featured in every single league game, starting 22 and he has been subbed on a further 12 times.
The Frenchman had an excellent month in March as he scored two and assisted two but hadn’t scored in April.
This was until he was back on the scoresheet against Bournemouth as he tapped home from yet another Ollie Watkins assist.
Diaby’s goal wasn’t all that was good about his performance as he put in the hard yards defensively. According to FotMob, he won 75 per cent of his duels and made a recovery. His 91 per cent pass accuracy is also something to show his positive performance.
It has to be said that the Villans have been in great form even without Luiz. With him returning somebody has to drop out and Diaby may have to be the fall guy.
It is unfortunate but with the form of Bailey, Tielemans and McGinn, the forward is arguably the weakest of the debate.
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