Sky reporter Dan Bardell has indicated that Aston Villa manager Unai Emery may consider leaving out a high-profile player, Lucas Digne, from his starting lineup for the upcoming match against Wolverhampton. Digne, who earns £120,000 per week, has been a consistent presence in the team, starting all four league matches this season and contributing two assists in their recent victory over Young Boys in the Champions League.
In a thrilling opener to their Champions League campaign, Villa secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Young Boys in Switzerland. Goals from Youri Tielemans, Jacob Ramsey, and the marquee summer signing Amadou Onana highlighted their impressive performance. Villa dominated the match, notching up 20 attempts on goal and maintaining the majority of possession. This victory marks a significant return to Europe’s elite competition for Villa, who had not participated since the 1980s.
After the match, Emery expressed his dedication of the win to former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw, who recently passed away at the age of 63. “This victory is for Gary Shaw,” Emery said, reflecting on the club’s historic achievements and the importance of the moment. He emphasized the team’s focus and adaptation throughout the match, drawing on their previous experiences in the Europa Conference League.
Looking ahead, Villa is set to face Wolves in a Midlands derby, and the anticipation builds around how Emery will configure his lineup. Villa has enjoyed a strong start to the domestic season, winning three out of their first four league matches. In contrast, Wolves have struggled, failing to secure a win and facing heavy defeats, including one against Chelsea.
Bardell speculated about potential changes to the lineup, suggesting that Digne might be replaced by summer acquisition Ian Maatsen. While Digne has been a reliable performer, Bardell noted that if it weren’t for the recent Champions League match, there might have been more chances for rotation in the squad. He hinted at the possibility of Jhon Duran also getting a starting role, especially as the season progresses and Emery looks to manage player fatigue effectively.
As Villa prepares for their match against Wolves, the focus will be on maintaining their momentum in both domestic and European competitions, with fans eager to see how the team evolves under Emery’s leadership.