(Credit: Imago)

Ian Maatsen now 'main man for Unai Emery' after Aston Villa exit developments

Tom is a second-year Journalism student at the University of Kent. He is an aspiring football journalist, and has several written stories on his local team Gillingham, which have been published by the Kent Messenger. Accepted onto the Breaking Media Academy scheme in 2025, he's looking to perfect his writing and learn more about the sports journalism world.

Published on:

17 Jun 2025, 4:32 am

Ian Maatsen featured in all but two of Aston Villa's Champions League run last season, but started just 10 times in the Premier League.

Villa bought the 23-year-old from Chelsea last summer, beating Borussia Dortmund to his signature following an impressive loan spell there.

Maatsen is enjoying minutes for the Netherlands Under-21 side, after featuring in the senior team for the Euro 2024.

And after being a bit-part player under Unai Emery last time out, he may now be about to become the main man.

Emery and Aston Villa could be set for a busy summer transfer window (Credit: Imago)

Lucas Digne set to leave Aston Villa

Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Digne if they cannot get Andy Robertson, who has also been linked with Villa this summer.

The Frenchman started 40 games in all competitions this season for the Villans, but an exit is now a realistic possibility amid these fresh reports.

Digne, 31, left Goodison for Villa Park in 2022 in a deal worth £25m.

The 31-year-old has won two Ligue 1 titles with PSG, along with the LaLiga and the Copa del Rey twice while at Barcelona.

The departure would allow Maatsen to secure that spot, even though Unai Emery has been looking for a new left-back.

Maatsen has a good injury record for Villa and is under contract until 2030, and he must now step up if Digne does indeed depart.

Digne could be on his way out of Aston Villa (Credit: Imago)

Maatsen still has a lot more to prove

Maatsen joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven as a teenager, and wowed in loan spells at Charlton and Coventry.

His stint at Burnley earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Season in 2022/23.

Maatsen was crucial in guiding Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2024 when they lost to Real Madrid.

He misplaced a pass and gave Jude Bellingham the ball, which led to Madrid's second goal courtesy of Vinicius Junior.

The young left-back played every minute for the German side in Europe and was named in the competition's team of the season.

Maatsen joined Emery's side for £37.5m, and fans are demanding more from their third-most-expensive signing in history.

Aston Villa will be missing out on the Champions League next seaso n, and Maatsen may shine in the Europa League in 25/26.

Lucas Digne

Unai Emery

Ian Maatsen