Alan Hutton: Ludwig Augustinsson can provide good cover for Aston Villa
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton likes to think that Ludwig Augustinsson can come in and provide adequate cover for Aston Villa after Lucas Digne's injury.
The Daily Mail reported (21 September) that the French defender has a suspected stress fracture to his ankle which will keep him sidelined for several weeks.
However, Hutton has trust in Augustinsson and feels that Villa's previous recruitment means he will be a success at Villa Park.
"It's a blow [losing Digne] with obviously Cash being out on the other side and Ashley Young has come in and done really well," Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
"We all know what Digne brings going forward with his deliveries into the box, they've obviously added Ludwig Augustinsson but we haven't seen much of him.
"You'd like to think he will come in and play his part considering he is an international but I can't sit here and say what he's going to be like because I haven't seen enough of him.
"The recruitment has been good at Aston Villa so you'd like to trust their judgement and assume that he can come in and do a good job."
Steven Gerrard is facing a defensive crisis at the moment with Diego Carlos and Matt Cash joined by defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara in the treatment room.
It's likely that Young will have to play out of position against Leeds United in their next Premier League fixture with Augustinsson making his first appearance of the season.