Unai Emery commits Lucas Digne ‘crime’ as Aston Villa XI confirmed v Arsenal
Lucas Digne may feel wronged by Unai Emery after being dropped from the Aston Villa starting line-up to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Emery has made just one change to the team that beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday (15 January), replacing Digne with Ian Maatsen.
The 31-year-old helped the Birmingham-based club keep their first clean sheet in six Premier League games, but has been dropped to the bench.
Lucas Digne wronged by Unai Emery in Arsenal v Aston Villa
Although he is known as an attacking left-back, Digne was a solid presence at the back against Everton, making three clearances, including two with his head [FotMob].
The defender also made one interception and recovered the ball six times.
Furthermore, the France international won five of his seven ground duels, while boasting a 100 per cent success rate in his similar two efforts in the air.
With Arsenal being known for their set-piece threat, Emery could have certainly done with Digne’s aerial dominance.
Digne was also heavily involved in the attack against Everton, registering 71 touches, including one in the opposition box.
He completed 31 of his 44 passes, including eight into the final third, with 70 per cent accuracy, and had a shot blocked.
There is also a chance for Villa to get good set-pieces when he is on the pitch as he was fouled three times against Everton.
Therefore, Emery has committed a crime against Digne by dropping him from Villa’s starting line-up.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa are hijacking a transfer with Monchi in advanced talks over a blockbuster deal.
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