MOTD pundit singles out unlikely key man in Unai Emery's Aston Villa masterplan

Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne has been consistently brilliant under Unai Emery in the last 12 months

Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given picked out Lucas Digne as a key man in Aston Villa's 3-1 win over Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

The left-back had plenty of joy on the flank and combined well with Jacob Ramsey to help Villa to their fifth league victory of the season. With Villa 2-1 up in the match and Fulham reduced to 10 men, Digne's cross was turned into the host's net by Issa Diop.

"I think Unai Emery’s set up and noticed a weakness for Fulham down that right side," Given said on Match of the Day. "We know Troare for Fulham is brilliant going forward, but Villa play with a lopsided left side and they push Digne on a lot.

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"Ramsey is there too and they linked up really well. All afternoon they caused problems. It also released space for Rogers. Yes, they got a bit of luck from the deflection off Bassey.

"Digne was spreading the back four, but Traore didn’t really want to track back. He sort of half tracked back.

"I think Cash was probably told to sit more defensive and Digne played like a left winger. The third goal comes from down that side again.

"Ramsey and Digne were there and Tete has got a problem in a two vs one situation. Does he stick or twist? Digne caused problems all afternoon.

"I think that came from the manager. He’s been there for two years now and the way he has transformed that football club, they’re in the Champions League after finishing in the top four and now a point off the top of the league. Brilliant job."

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