Aston Villa’s progress during the last couple of years has been nothing in need of exceptional, with Unai Emery reworking the membership into constant European challengers.
The Spaniard has achieved a 56% win price answerable for the Villans to this point, subsequently profitable 99 of his 177 matches since taking the reins again in November 2022.
His arrival has actually made the membership one of many Premier League’s most threatening groups, as seen by their tally of simply six league losses within the 2025/26 marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, his success has been made all of the extra spectacular, with the membership restricted of their enterprise available in the market as a result of looming Revenue and Sustainability points.
In consequence, the supervisor may look to dump quite a few gamers from his senior ranks, with a number of abilities in his squad falling means under the requirements anticipated of them.
The stats behind Lucas Digne’s struggles in 2025/26
Again within the winter of 2022, Villa forked out a reported £25m for the signature of left-back Lucas Digne, with an actual expectation that he would take the membership to the following stage.
The Frenchman has since racked up 170 appearances throughout all competitions, typically being Emery’s beginning left-back throughout his tenure at Villa Park.
Nonetheless, the 2025/26 marketing campaign has been one to neglect for the 32-year-old, with the defender typically coming beneath hearth for his lack of spectacular performances.
His worst show arguably got here in opposition to Bournemouth on the Vitality a few weeks in the past, with Digne’s non-existent defending permitting Rayan to ghost in and hearth dwelling.
The total-back’s tally of 0.2 dribbles accomplished per 90 additionally highlights his struggles, with such a determine rating him within the backside 25% of all defenders in England’s top-flight.
Digne’s additionally made simply 0.6 interceptions per 90, additionally rating him within the backside 25%, which additional signifies the struggles he’s confronted when making an attempt to dispossess the opposition.
The Villa star who must not ever play beneath Emery once more
Over the past couple of weeks, Villa’s kind throughout all competitions has considerably stagnated, with Emery’s males solely profitable one of many final 4 matches throughout all competitions.
Marco Bizot’s crimson card in opposition to Newcastle United final weekend little doubt contributed to their defeat, with the goalkeeper’s second of insanity seeing the aspect exit the FA Cup.
Nonetheless, the membership stay firmly within the race to safe a top-four spot come the top of the marketing campaign, which may massively increase the membership’s funds and PSR standing.
If they will end above the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, quite a few modifications will probably must be made to strengthen their efforts.
Regardless of modifications needing to be made to the senior ranks, full-back Andres Garcia is a participant who shouldn’t be referred to as upon between now and the top of the marketing campaign.
The Spaniard joined the Villans from Levante for a reported £6m earlier than add-ons final January, however has discovered common first-team minutes extraordinarily exhausting to come back by.
The 23-year-old has solely made 14 appearances in his 13 months within the West Midlands, with Emery undoubtedly preferring the likes of Matty Money within the right-back position.
This marketing campaign has been one to neglect for Garcia, subsequently that includes in simply 4 matches throughout all competitions – however none of which have come from a beginning position.
He’s solely been on the pitch for a mixed 56 minutes throughout his 4 outings, with the defender unable to interrupt into the beginning eleven after his subsequent switch.
Nonetheless, his stats from his 5 begins within the league final marketing campaign don’t make for excellent studying, with the supervisor evidently making the proper name in protecting him away from the beginning eleven.
|
Andres Garcia – PL stats (2024/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Video games performed |
5 |
|
Minutes performed |
317 |
|
Possibilities created |
0.2 |
|
Dribbles accomplished |
29% |
|
Duels gained |
32% |
|
Interceptions made |
0.5 |
|
Dribbled previous |
1.5 |
|
Cross success |
27% |
Garcia solely managed to finish 29% of the dribbles he tried, while creating simply 0.2 probabilities per 90 – subsequently highlighting his struggles when driving ahead with the ball.
With out the ball, the teenager solely managed to win 32% of his duels, which ranked him within the backside 1% of all defenders within the division for the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
He additionally made simply 0.5 interceptions per 90, and was dribbled previous 1.5 instances per 90, demonstrating his lack of high quality in regaining possession for Emery’s aspect.
In consequence, it’s clear the supervisor doesn’t see the defender as a part of his long-term plans, with Garcia evidently not on the stage wanted for fulfillment in England’s top-flight.
He and Digne are two gamers who finally ought to be moved on when the summer time switch window opens, particularly if the Villans are to construct on any success this marketing campaign.
Aston Villa have already offered an Abraham & Malen improve for simply £2m
Aston Villa made a mistake in permitting one teenager to depart Villa Park on a budget.
