Shocking News:I will not play again: Aston villa key player has decided to quit due to…

Shocking News:I will not play again: Aston villa key player has decided to quit due to…

Steven Gerrard didn’t do much right at Aston Villa.

 

The 44-year-old lasted less than 12 months in the Aston Villa dugout, and even that, for some, was far too long given how the team regressed.

But then, the genius of Unai Emery arrived and he helped transform the club, improve players, implement a clear style of play and bring life back to the Midlands.

 

Villa securing Champions League football has, so far, topped the lot and many are hoping even better times are to come.

 

One thing is for sure, it’s a far cry from Gerrard’s days at Villa and fans are glad that he is no longer in the building.

But there are a few good things Gerrard did and that’s when you point towards the transfer market.

 

Unai Emery praises Lucas Digne’s improvement at Aston Villa

Aston Villa signed Lucas Digne from Everton under Gerrard’s stewardship during the January transfer window of 2022.

 

The 31-year-old came in to compete with Matt Targett, at the time, who would go on to join Newcastle United and that left-back spot would then be the Frenchman’s to take.

It took him a while, but Digne is now playing his best football at Villa and fans are glad Gerrard brought him into the club.

 

Emery spoke about the improvements in the fullback’s game and how it is ‘clear’ that the defensive side has taken the biggest strides, as he told The Athletic.

 

“One thing is clear, he has improved a lot defensively, focusing on the tactical idea we have,” shared Emery.

 

“He’s defending better than when we arrived here. Offensively, we use him intelligently and with his very good crossing. He works at a very good tempo and can go higher when we need it.”

Digne returns to the France squad

Digne was previously a regular for his country, but then, the call-ups stopped and you sense Villa’s drop in form under Gerrard played a part.

 

Even though Villa returned to Europe two seasons ago under Emery, there was still no phone call from France manager, Didier Deschamps.

 

But then, Digne returned to the France set-up in September after a two-year absence and you have to say it’s very much earned because his form has been deserving of it.

 

 

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Now, he is probably aiming to play at the 2026 World Cup in the USA because the baton is now in his hands.