Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Fri 20 March 2026 8:10, UK

Douglas Luiz staked his claim to Aston Villa boss Unai Emery in the 2-0 Europa League win over Lille on Thursday.

Luiz proved to the Villans boss why he should remain in the team for the West Ham clash as he bossed the midfield at Villa Park on 19 March.

There have been doubts over the 27-year-old’s form in recent weeks, with the potential for Ross Barkley to replace him in the team for the Premier League.

Luiz was excellent as Villa marched onto the next round of the competition, with a comfortable victory over the French side.

He has made sure of his starting place in the future, reducing any doubts that may have surfaced about his place in the Villa side under Emery.

How did Douglas Luiz perform in Villa win?

The Brazilian star was one of the difference makers for Villa as they secured progress to the quarter-finals.

Luiz had one key pass, attempted four crosses and completed 84 per cent of the 57 passes that he attempted, misplacing just nine, per Sofascore.

He took 82 touches and lost the ball just 16 times, carrying the ball 21 times for a total distance of 118.4m.

The Juventus loanee made 10 defensive contributions, winning four out of six tackles that he attempted, making two interceptions, and two clearances, while he was also responsible for eight recoveries.

In terms of duels, he won nine of the 13 that he attempted in total on the ground and in the air, for a 69 per cent success rate.

Why Luiz must be one of the first names on the teamsheet

Those stats show Emery that he has a pretty simple choice to make for the clash against the Hammers.

Luiz must start, he was all over the show in a good way in the victory over the Ligue 1 side, especially excelling when asked to defend.

There should be no doubts now that when his name is revealed on the teamsheet, it was a star showing, and proves why Emery brought him back, and why he should start going forward.

He must be one of the first names on the teamsheet going forward, if the Villans want to qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League, given his experience and ability to turn it on when it matters.