Gabby Agbonlahor feels Aston Villa should keep the faith with Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno amid Kieran Tierney links, as the club shouldn’t “have to worry about that position for years”.
Unai Emery’s Villa side are in a good position just a few months after the manager joined. Indeed, he took charge while they were in relegation trouble, and they’re now 11th, on the same points as Chelsea.
That rise will likely continue if the Spaniard gets his recruitment right. In January, he only signed two players: Jhon Duran and Moreno.
However, he could be on the lookout for some more signings to really up the level of the squad in the summer. One position that could see some movement is left-back.
Moreno already joined in the position in January, but there could be one man each going through the respective entrance and exit doors soon, too.
Indeed, a recent report detailed how Digne – former boss Steven Gerrard’s first signing at Villa – could make way for Arsenal’s Tierney, who would reportedly cost around £30million.
Agbonlahor admitted at the end of last year that Tierney might be considering his future due to a lack of game time at the Emirates. The Scot has been the subject of reported interest from Newcastle United of late.
However, the former Villa striker does not think his former side should get rid of Digne to sign Tierney.
“Tierney is a good player but I like Digne,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s someone I admire. He hasn’t quite got going in a Villa shirt yet but he’s top quality.”
A year seems enough time for a player to get to grips at a club. Digne’s playing time has dropped since Moreno stepped foot through the door at Villa Park, too, which could mean Emery doesn’t see the Frenchman having a future there.
However, Agbonlahor feels Digne is a top player, and Villa are set with him and Moreno as their left-backs.
“He has a load of caps for France, he’s been doing it in the Premier League for ages – I just don’t feel like left-back is a priority,” he added.
“With Digne and Moreno, I don’t feel like we have to worry about that position for years.
“Villa and Emery should be concentrating on targets in other positions.”
Leaving the left-back position as it is would allow Villa to prioritise signings in other areas. Whether or not Emery agrees that is the way to go about things remains to be seen.
If Digne was to leave and Tierney was to join, one man would be going each way through the club’s doors, so there wouldn’t be too many players in the position.
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