Unai Emery backed to make ruthless Lucas Digne call at Aston Villa

Don Goodman does not believe "ruthless" Unai Emery will have any qualms dropping Lucas Digne the moment he loses form for Aston Villa.

Digne has surprisingly held down the left-back berth at Villa Park this season, being an ever-present in the Premier League, despite the big-money arrival of Ian Maatsen in the summer transfer window.

Maatsen has yet to start a top-flight game, but Goodman believes he will get his chance the moment Digne drops off.

"It's similar to Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran," Goodman told Villa News. "Digne has thrived on the competition for places and that's exactly what Emery will be looking for.

"He's a ruthless manager who won't pay players for the sake of it and because they cost a certain amount. At the end of the day, Ian Maatsen will have to be like Duran and I'm sure he is behind the scenes.

"He's part of a squad playing Champions League football. The moment Digne's form drops off, Maatsen becomes the most magnificent option for Emery."

Aston Villa squad bursting with world-class talent

As Goodman points out, there has been plenty of focus on Duran and Watkins with regards to who will get the nod from Emery.

That battle is helping to get the most out of both men, and the same is clearly true for Digne as he has justified his regular starting role at the back.

Maatsen will not be happy - privately, at least - at having to play second-fiddle, especially considering he was playing in a Champions League final five months ago.

The former Chelsea full-back's time will no doubt come, though, and once it does so he has to ensure he takes it with both hands, which has not always been the case.

In other Aston Villa news, Goodman shared an "absolutely stupid" verdict on Morgan Rogers.

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