On Thursday, 7 August, Aston Villa announced that they had agreed on a new deal with Lucas Digne.
It is safe to say that the left back has found himself a home at Villa Park after a decade of searching.
Digne: a decisive element in Emery’s blueprint
The Frenchman fell out of favour with Rafa Benitez at **Everton**and signed a contract with the club in January 2022 to stay in the Midlands until next year. He has been a mainstay for the Villans, playing 109 times for the team in the Premier League and earning 29 more appearances in all competitions.
As an offensive outlet who has a dangerous delivery, Digne has been around the European circuit at some of the biggest clubs on the continent. Lille, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and **AS Roma**are on his CV, on top of his time at the two English clubs. However, he has never been a part of a side for more than three and a half years, evenly splitting his seven seasons at **Everton**and Aston Villa.
This extension will change that track record, as he has put pen to paper for terms to last until 2028.
The 31-year-old, who also had 52 caps for France, has been in the good books of Unai Emery. The manager made clear that his focus was on stabilising the “structure” of the side over the summer, and without too many major incomings, the emphasis has been on tying down key members of the squad.
He is the third stalwart of the squad to have signed a significant extension this summer. In early June, Tyrone Mings agreed to extend his deal with the Villans until 2027. Then, before the beginning of the preseason tour to the USA, Digne’s compatriot, Boubacar Kamara, renewed his contract until 2030.
**Ian Maatsen**moved to Villa last year to get more playing time than he received at Chelsea, and Alex Moreno is still in the mix. But Digne is definitely part of the core of the club, and he is here to stay.