Lucas Digne

[Somniloquism]

He's improved out of all recognition in a Villa shirt in last 18 months. He knows his strengths and weaknesses and has adjusted his game accordingly. Martinelli hooked, Sterling anonymous and a cracking assist.

TBF, that might not have been all Lucas doing.

[LeeB]

Sterling though, I know he's always had his critics but his career has taken an alarming nosedive in what should still be his prime years.

[eye digress]

He's improved out of all recognition in a Villa shirt in last 18 months.

I didn't think he was poor under Gerrard. Digne's just a very good player and a top pro who like all players, looks better in a decent team.

A top pro because he maintains his performance levels despite changes in manager, players being brought into his position, being taken out of the starting 11, being on the verge of leaving, speculation, etc. Never spat his dummy out, always put in a shift.

[eamonn]

He had his ropey moments early on but he's been solid under Emery. Just wish he could still score a direct free-kick.

[martin o`who??]

Player of the season so far with Kamara not a million miles behind.

[Dave]

F365s list of winners from the weekend:

Lucas Digne

(Marco) Silva always was a visionary. It was not exactly common consensus in April 2019 that Digne is better than Andy Robertson but perhaps the Portuguese simply expressed his views six years too early.

While the Liverpool full-back is on the decline, Digne remains unshiftable at 31. Having seen off the challenge of Alex Moreno it was instructive that Unai Emery’s first unenforced changed against Arsenal was to bring on his trusted lieutenant in place of Ian Maatsen.

Digne shut down the threat on the left with five tackles and four clearances in 45 minutes, as well as a sumptuous assist for the first goal. One of Villa’s most quietly important players was almost sold in the last two summers.

And fair play to Matty Alexander-Arnold-Cash for completing the Liverpool full-back comparison by defending poorly before putting in a stunning ball for the equaliser.