Douglas Luiz - coming back?

[pauliewalnuts]

Isn't Wesley a Brazilian international too?!

Is he?

What at?

[ChicagoLion]

In modern parlance he and SJM look more like 8 than 6.

[stubbsyandy]

We need to develop him as a player, his best form has shown he has talent but I think it’s wasted at the rear of midfield..he gets forward so little that it seems his confidence has gone when in last third.

[PeterWithe]

I reckon he's a fine DM, or has the potential to be, but I cant see anything that supports him being a top 6 player further forward.

[eamonn]

Is the concept of defensive/attacking midfielder still used at elite level? Seems a little outdated. I think they're now meant to be all-singing all-dancing.
Doug is more of a technical player than a "stopper". Decent in terms of positional play without the ball but better on it. I do think his lack of physical prowess does get him into trouble at times (see also McGinn). I think we need more athleticism and stature in there.

[brontebilly]

In modern parlance he and SJM look more like 8 than 6.

Although the last time I recall Luiz playing at 8 (in that stroll at home to Newcastle) he was shite.

He's in a very poor run of form but I think he has struggled for a lot of the season to be honest. Needs an experienced partner in there next to him next season.

[CT Villan]

He clearly has the ability, but right now it's not working for him.

He can be sloppy with his passing and needs to work on his speed/acceleration as he always seems to get beaten when opposition players run at, or by him.

[CT]

He clearly has the ability, but right now it's not working for him.

He can be sloppy with his passing and needs to work on his speed/acceleration as he always seems to get beaten when opposition players run at, or by him.

He’s also lost that ability to be a goal threat. Two absolute peaches against Bournemouth and Norwich, and not much, if anything else.

There’s definitely a quality player in there though, without doubt.

[Steve67]

He needs to play further forward. He is not big enough to play defensive central midfielder.

Agree with this; he'd be competing with Sanson, McGinn and Ramsey for a role further up the pitch.
Who would you bring in to be the more imposing defensive midfielder?

I think we need to buy one. I’ve been largely impressed with the quality of our transfer business but I’ve been saying it since we got back up that we lack physicality. We need to buy a couple. Bissouma from Brighton perhaps.

[olaftab]

Isn't Wesley a Brazilian international too?!

Is he?

What at?

Volleyball.

[tony scott]

I think at 22 Dougie hasn’t peaked yet, maybe pair him with Jack further forward for a run of games I would be very surprised if he didn’t turn into very good player.

[in exile]

I think at 22 Dougie hasn’t peaked yet, maybe pair him with Jack further forward for a run of games I would be very surprised if he didn’t turn into very good player.

If that's the case, who do we currently replace him with?

[OCD]

The best I've seen him was after the first lockdown and at the start of the season when he focussed on protecting the defence.

[LeeB]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/09/douglas-luiz-proud-to-be-from-the-favela-aston-villa-brazil

[Toronto Villa]

He’s 22 and since the Covid restart been asked to play a much different role to the one he initially had with us. He’s contributed to making our defence one of the best in the league even if it has taken him away from some of the stuff we’ve seen him do well for us. There is so much more left in the tank and I’m sure before long we will be hearing he has signed a new deal with us for the next 4 years.