Aston Villa Unai Emery Ian Maatsen
(credit: Imago)
Max Wilkins
Sun 25 May 2025 16:51, UK
Unai Emery has to take Ian Maatsen off at half-time for Aston Villa after a terrible display so far against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Villans luckily go in at the break at 0-0 despite an onslaught of menacing chances for Ruben Amorim’s side on 25 May.
It has been far from easy for Unai Emery to get a tune out of his side, who know a win will give them every chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
The B6 club have been far too loose on the ball and have fallen victim at times to the attacking capability of United’s wing-back system.
There aren’t many in black and blue who have struggled more than Maatsen, and as a result, a change at half time would make total sense for the away side.
Ian Maatsen Aston Villa
(Credit: Imago)
Maatsen poor for Aston Villa v Manchester United
The Netherlands international has been deserving of a starting role in a Villa shirt in recent weeks after a difficult spell since signing.
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After coming in from Chelsea, the 23-year-old failed to acclimatise to the energy of Premier League action in the opening weeks.
Stat (Premier League 24/25) Ian Maatsen
Appearances 28
Starts 9
Goal involvements 3
Ian Maatsen Aston Villa stats 24/25
That has changed recently with the left-back netting an excellent goal against Newcastle United to showcase his ability going forward.
With that being said, the Dutchman has once again failed to showcase his talent against Man United as the likes of Diogo Dalot and Amad Diallo got the better of him.
This has seen Maatsen fail to contribute a single defensive action while also losing out on every one of his three attempted duels in a zero per cent success rate [FotMob].
This has also been matched by a zero per cent dribble rate while just one of his passes has been into the final third at Old Trafford.
As a result, making a change to bring an experienced head like Lucas Digne onto the pitch could prove to be a wise move for Emery at this stage.
Aston Villa Lucas Digne
Lucas Digne could come on for Aston Villa v Manchester United (Credit: Imago)
Martinez could seriously cost Aston Villa
It is a must-win for Villa against a struggling United side with the prospect of a top-five finish still in the pipeline.
Well, it was.
For whatever reason, Martinez opted to charge out of his goal and smash Rasmus Hojlund to the ground and cost his side in arguably the biggest game of the season.
Coming off the back of a week where fans have been left gutted that the 32-year-old could leave at the end of the season, he has seriously let himself and the supporters down.
As frustrating as it has been to watch Maatsen struggle at left-back, his blushes have been spared by the craziness of the Argentine on what could be his final game in claret and blue.
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