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Keith Hackett

Sun 8 June 2025 16:53, UK

Lucas Digne is one of a number of Aston Villa players currently away representing their country during the end-of-season international window.

The full-back played the full 90 minutes on Sunday (8 June) as France beat Germany 2-0 to finish third in the UEFA Nations League.

Digne has been tipped to leave Aston Villa in the summer transfer window, and representing France will certainly only help to ramp up his valuation.

However, the 31-year-old Villa ace was at the centre of a refereeing error during the match that resulted in him being booked.

Digne booked in France win v Germany

Digne was cautioned by referee Ivan Kruzliak 12 minutes into the match at MHPArena in Stuttgart, leaving him walking a disciplinary tightrope for most of the game.

The defender was booked for grabbing hold of Karim Adeyemi and dragging him to the ground, halting a Germany attack in the process.

However, former FIFA official Keith Hackett – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes Adeyemi bought the foul.

“I believe that the referee has missed the first offence by Adeyemi,” he said.

“Adeyemi looks towards the advancing Digne and puts on the brakes to clearly impede the progress of the French player. The first offence was not correctly penalised.”

Digne future could lie away from Aston Villa

Digne has been linked with a Villa Park exit of late, with Ian Maatsen to be the preferred choice of Unai Emery next season.

The former Barcelona ace is a more-than-solid option, though, and you do not get picked to play for a country like France unless supremely talented.

As for the incident in question, it is clear that the referee was tricked into giving a free-kick against Digne, and then reaching into his pocket.

It did not matter all that much in the end, however, as Digne avoided another caution and helped keep a clean sheet as France saw off Germany by a couple of unanswered goals.