Aston Villa defender Lamare Bogarde has admitted he is currently enjoying his just desserts after people questioned him joining the club earlier in his career.
[De Telegraaf](https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1889084569/lamare-bogarde-ziet-vroege-keuze-voor-aston-villa-beloond-dan-kan-ik-mij-geen-betere-wensen-dan-oom-winston) have a short interview with the youngster today in which he admits he’s delighted with how things are going and hails Unai Emery’s obsession with football.
This has been something of a breakout season for Bogarde as he has seemingly won the trust of Emery over the course of the campaign.
The Spanish boss has turned to the youngster at various points across the campaign, using him in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup competitions, particularly when injuries have struck.
It’s a show of faith for the youngster, who is enjoying his breakthrough in the first team and feels his decision to move from Feyenoord’s U18 side in 2021 is now justified.
“They then explained to that me the plan was to become a large club in England,” he said.
“When I came, the club was on the verge of relegation. Now they’re in the Champions League. There have been so many people who had difficulty understanding my choice at the time but look at what is now coming from those plans.
“So, I expected it somewhere. You never know how it will really really go, but this is what you hope for when you go abroad at a young age.”
The move to Villa Park has given Bogarde the chance to work under one of the leading coaches in Europe in Emery.
The Spanish coach has a history of success that doesn’t need repeating here and is continuing that at Villa Park, where they are currently competing for a top four place in the Premier League and in the final stages of the FA Cup and Champions League.
He is also a coach known for developing talent into leading players, something Bogarde is already taking advantage of.
“He is obsessed with the game and how he deals with the players, so passionately too, that is beautiful to see,” he added.
“If you communicate like he does, you also get a lot of respect in return. He is very specific with players, including me. He gave me the chance he promised me if I continued to invest in myself. Then you go through fire for someone.”