New addition will help push Villa forward.
Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen joins Aston Villa officially in the coming weeks, and Unai Emery will be hoping that he’s a player who can help the Villains take another step forward as they aim to continue to progress under the Spaniard. One thing is for sure, Maatsen will provide plenty of thrust from left back, which in turn will delight fans whilst being another offensive weapon in Villa’s arsenal.
Maatsen, 22, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, looked almost sure to head back to the Bundesliga this summer in a permanent move. Dortmund were linked with turning the Netherlands international’s loan move into a permanent switch, while Bayern Munich, now managed by Vincent Kompany, who Maatesen played under at Burnley in a loan spell, were also thought to be keen. But then Villa arrived on the scene and rapidly got the deal done.
Aston Villa, who Premier League betting markets have as one of the favourites to finish in the top four next season, enjoyed a stunning campaign in 2023/24, qualifying for the Champions League as a result of their endeavours. And their new left-back played every minute of every Dortmund game in the competition from the round of sixteen right through to the final, which is an immediate plus point as Emery aims to guide Villa in positive fashion in European football’s top club competition. Maatsen also did so with a team that wasn’t heavily fancied to do well.
Where his attributes as a player are concerned, Maatsen will introduce a bucketload of pace down Villa’s left-hand side and will provide another attacking threat to go with the vast array already present in the squad. Not only is the Dutchman capable of creating goals, but he’s also scored a fair few throughout his career. He managed to score three and provide two at Dortmund and will be hoping to build on those numbers next season in a division he’s made twelve appearances in so far.
Maatsen will have competition for a starting birth at Villa, which goes without saying, as Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno are both still on the club’s books. But even though the Villains are managing to balance out what they’re spending via sales already, Digne or Moreno will likely be moved on rather than have three players competing for the one position. Digne was the regular left back last season with Moreno acting as backup, and it remains unclear whether Digne, who many expect to play less, will be happy in that role.
There will be plenty of games to go around, as Villa will be competing on four fronts from the get-go, but you’d expect Maatsen to make the position his own eventually, with the aim being for him to be in situ for years to come. Maatsen also doesn’t look like he will be the only high-rated younger player through the Villa Park entrance this summer either, which will only add to the excitement and long-term potential of this team.
