Youri Tielemans faces a ‘big problem’ at Aston Villa as Unai Emery never envisaged an essential place for the midfielder before he signed as a free agent from Leicester City.
That is according to Dean Jones, who notes that there was ‘no chance’ of Tielemans walking straight into Emery’s line-up. The Aston Villa boss only targeted the 26-year-old’s transfer to add depth to their engine room. He considers the Villans’ midfield as one of their best areas.
Aston Villa have persisted with a central pairing of Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz so far this season. Emery has also favoured Moussa Diaby for the advanced role with support from John McGinn and Nicolo Zaniolo. He has left Tielemans to only feature as a substitute so far.
Emery only ever wanted Tielemans as a squad player at Aston Villa
Tielemans has got all seven of his Premier League games in claret-and-blue as a substitute for a mere 136 minutes. He also ranks in just 14th at Villa Park for minutes played in the top-flight so far this term. Ezri Konsa is the sole Villans star to have appeared for all 630 minutes.
Emery always envisaged Tielemans holding the sort of role the Belgian has held thus far. The Aston Villa coach always wanted to capitalise on the 61-cap technician leaving Leicester as a free agent to improve their depth. He wanted Tielemans to prove he merits a starting place
Tielemans has a ‘big problem’ with his place in Emery’s pecking order
It is now a ‘big problem’ for Tielemans that Emery only ever wanted his signature as a squad option for Aston Villa. He was one of the main players at Leicester and started in 27 of his 31 Premier League appearances last term. The 26-year-old also captained the Foxes in spells.
Tielemans also offered a goal threat that astounded Gary Lineker at the King Power Stadium. Lineker called the Belgian a ‘superb’ player last November after he scored ‘another stunning volley’ to help beat Everton. Tielemans hit three and created two top-flight goals last term.
