Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been asked about Donyell Malen's lack of starts since joining from Borussia Dortmund in January
Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen
Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Unai Emery insists Donyell Malen is an important part of his squad despite his lack of starts but admits the game time he has received since joining has been unfair.
Malen signed for Villa from Borussia Dortmund in January for £20 million, replacing Jaden Philogene, who left for a similar fee to Ipswich Town.
However, the 26-year-old has started only two Premier League games and just one of the last 15, despite being fit and available.
Malen was also left out of Emery’s Champions League squad for the knockout rounds last season following the three loan additions of Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, and Axel Disasi.
The Dutch winger, who is also capable of playing up front, registered two goals and three assists in pre-season. He also scored in three consecutive league matches last term against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Southampton, yet Emery only handed him 65 minutes across the final seven matches of the league campaign.
In fact, since Villa’s defeat to this weekend’s opponents Palace back in February, Malen has been handed more than 10 minutes of playing time in only three of the club’s last 11 games.
Lacking width and pace in the first couple of matches this term, Villa have yet to score this season, drawing 0-0 against Newcastle before losing 1-0 at Brentford last weekend.
Emi Buendía, who could leave Villa before Monday’s 7pm transfer deadline, was preferred to Malen at Brentford when Boubacar Kamara came off injured in the 16th minute.
Later in the second half, the travelling Villa fans called for Malen’s introduction on the hour mark, cheering when he took off his bib after being summoned by Emery for the final 25 minutes of the defeat.
Ahead of facing Crystal Palace on Sunday, Emery was asked about Malen’s lack of starts since the beginning of the year.
“Sometimes I am not being fair with some players,” he admitted. “When you have 20 players and different options in different positions, sometimes you’re not fair with everybody.
“Especially Malen, I am happy with him. I am happy with him, and he can play in the starting XI. He can also play in various roles, as a right winger or a striker.
“He has some qualities that are very, very important for us. Sometimes, he can perform well either in the starting XI or as a substitute.
“I know every player wants to start, and even last year, when some players weren’t available, he played in the starting XI or off the bench.
“He always showed his capacity to help the team, and now it is the same. He didn’t start the first two matches, but maybe on Sunday, he will have the chance to start. Hopefully, he will perform well and, as well, achieve our collective objective and his individual targets.”