How Triston Rowe has given Unai Emery eureka moment at Aston Villa in pre-season

Triston Rowe has emerged as a new option for Unai Emery at Aston Villa.

The youngster has been involved for the Villans this pre-season, making his first appearance in the 4-2 loss to Real Sociedad, when he managed to get 14 minutes after coming on for Emi Buendia.

The 19-year-old then played the full 90 minutes of Villa's 3-1 win over Indonesia XI last time out, where he played as a left-back for the entire match.

Rowe is naturally a right-back, but has the ability to play further up the field, as shown through his time with Annecy FC last campaign.

The U21s star has returned to B6 as a refined player after spending one season in France, and has clearly impressed Emery.

More importantly, Aston Villa could see a new dynamic shift in defence with the emergence of Rowe.

How Triston Rowe has changed the dynamic for Unai Emery

Given that Emery played Rowe at left-back for the full game against Indonesia XI, it's clear to see where the Spaniard thinks he's best suited.

Interestingly enough, the position has been one that has remained a controversial topic for Villa fans because of Lucas Digne and Ian Maatsen both being liabilities at times.

Rowe could be in Emery's thinking to play as a left-back in the upcoming campaign, as his time with Annecy shows his defensive abilities.

The ex-England U20s star played 31 times in Ligue 2 last season, grabbing one goal and two assists, but his performances went beyond his output.

Rowe managed 2262 minutes in total, with a successful cross accuracy of 21 per cent.

He completed 1.03 dribbles per match, creating 0.72 chances every 90 minutes, though his defensive abilities shone brightest.

He made an average of 2.03 tackles per 90, and conceded just 0.99 goals while on the pitch over the course of a season on average.

Rowe was dribbled past 0.56 times, which bettered both Digne and Maatsen at 0.58 and 1.35 respectively.

Villa's game against Bayern Munich on Friday will prove telling of Emery's thoughts on Rowe, though it feels like the teenager has already staked a claim for himself.

The latest on Aston Villa's left-back situation

There were rumours of Lucas Digne joining PSG earlier this summer, though that deal appears to be off the cards for now.

The Frenchman has clearly lost the spring in his step that he once had, with age no longer on his side.

Time has been a friend for Maatsen, though the Dutchman has failed to capitalise on chances at Villa Park so far.

That's where Rowe could come into the situation; a breath of fresh air that gives Emery a new lightbulb idea this season.