Youri Tielemans has a ‘huge challenge’ at Aston Villa because Unai Emery never expected the midfielder to be a starter when he signed as a free agent from Leicester City.
According to Dean Jones, there was ‘no chance’ Tielemans would stroll right into Emery’s starting lineup. The Aston Villa manager just wanted the 26-year-old to give depth to their engine room. He believes the Villans’ midfield is one of their strongest areas.
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So far this season, Aston Villa have stuck with a central duo of Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz. Emery has also preferred Moussa Diaby for the advanced role, with John McGinn and Nicolo Zaniolo backing him up. Tielemans has only appeared as a substitute so far.
Emery intent for Tielemans at Aston Villa
Tielemans has appeared as a substitute in all seven Premier League games for a total of 136 minutes. He also stands in just 14th at Villa Park for minutes played in the top-flight so far this campaign. Ezri Konsa is the only Villans player to have played all 630 minutes.
Tielemans is one of the best Premier league midfielders
Emery had always envisioned Tielemans in the role the Belgian has maintained thus far. The Aston Villa manager has long wanted to take advantage of the 61-cap technician leaving Leicester as a free agency in order to strengthen his squad. He wanted Tielemans to demonstrate his worthiness for a starting spot.
Tielemans has a “big problem” with where he stands in Emery’s hierarchy.
Emery only ever wanted to recruit Tielemans as a squad option for Aston Villa, which is now a “big problem” for him. He was a key member of the Leicester squad and started in 27 of his 31 Premier League games last season. The 26-year-old occasionally served as the Foxes’ captain.
At the King Power Stadium, Tielemans also presented a goal threat that stunned Gary Lineker. After the Belgian scored ‘another stunning volley’ to aid in the victory over Everton in November, Lineker referred to him as a’superb’ player. In the previous season, Tielemans scored three goals and assisted on two more.
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