Emery questioned for Disasi decision at Aston Villa amid ‘frightening’ PSG verdict
Unai Emery has come under fire for his use of Axel Disasi at Aston Villa ahead of the clash against PSG on Tuesday.
The Villans are preparing for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Luis Enrique’s side on 15 April.
The Parisians travel to Villa Park with a 3-1 aggregate lead that the home side will look to cancel out with the B6 faithful behind them.
If that is to be the case, Emery will have to get everything spot on, but this might not be the case after a new Disasi verdict emerged.
Disasi change v PSG questioned
The first leg in the French capital saw Villa face consistent pressure from the start, regardless of Morgan Rogers’ opener at the Parc Des Princes.
This saw Matty Cash pick up an early yellow card for a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, potentially leaving him with 73 minutes on a booking against some of the best wingers in the world.
As a result, it was little surprise to see Emery act quickly to take the Poland international at half time to be replaced by Disasi for the remaining 45 minutes.
This didn’t necessarily pay off as Villa conceded two in the second half as they fell to a frustrating 3-1 first-leg defeat in Paris.
Speaking on talkSPORT (15 April, 09:09am), Ally McCoist has revealed his shock to have seen the Frenchman come on against the Ligue 1 champions.
He said: “I was a bit surprised at half time when Disasi came on in that right back position. I just think against PSG, your full-backs have got to be on their game.”
Former Villa man Andy Townsend replied: “Good point because Kvaratskhelia and Doue on the night were the best two players on the park. They were frightening, so good.
“It’s never easy coming on in any game, never mind marching onto the field against those two. It wasn’t easy for Axel Disasi at all. I think Unai Emery is that sort of coach, if he’s got something he wants to change, he’ll just do it irrespective of whether it raises eyebrows or not.”
Emery must get it right v PSG
It was a difficult evening for the Chelsea loanee, but there is no doubt that he has been a positive addition from Stamford Bridge.
Emery has opted to utilise him mainly as a right-back, and against Club Brugge in particular, Disasi has performed well in that role.
Against the pace, power and directness of PSG, maybe it was the wrong call from the Spaniard, although the risk of Cash being sent off was real.
It will be interesting to see who gets the nod at Villa Park at right-back among a whole host of positions, including the number nine role.
Both Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins will want to start, but it will be down to Emery to pick a team that he feels gives him the best chance of progressing.