£37.5m wasted: Aston Villa have been bled dry for 24 months by a current first team player…

Aston Villa’s experience with Lucas Digne has been less than ideal, both in terms of his footballing performance and the financial burden he has placed on the club.

Despite arriving with high expectations and a significant transfer fee, Digne’s impact on the pitch has not matched the investment made in him. Signed during Steven Gerrard’s tenure as manager for £25 million from Everton, Digne was initially seen as a promising addition to the squad, praised for his pedigree and quality by the manager.

However, his time at Villa Park has been marked by underwhelming performances and a failure to justify his lavish price tag.

In addition to the hefty transfer fee, Digne’s wages have further strained Aston Villa’s finances. Reportedly earning £120,000 per week since his arrival in 2022, Digne ranks among the club’s highest earners, despite not delivering consistent performances on the field. This disparity between salary and contribution has led to scrutiny of Digne’s value to the team, with suggestions that his wages could be better utilized elsewhere in the squad or by investing in younger, more promising talents.

On the field, Digne’s statistics paint a picture of a player who has struggled to make a significant impact. While initially showing promise with four assists in 16 Premier League games following his arrival, Digne’s output has declined since then.

In the current season, he has managed just two assists in 18 league appearances and ranks poorly in key metrics such as big chances created, successful dribbles, and accurate passes per game. These numbers indicate a player who has failed to meet the expectations placed upon him and has not provided the attacking threat that Aston Villa require from their full-backs.

In terms of cost, Digne’s tenure at Aston Villa has been an expensive endeavor. When factoring in both his transfer fee and wages, it is estimated that Digne has cost the club a staggering £37.5 million over the course of his two-year spell. This significant expenditure, coupled with his underwhelming performances, has led to speculation that Digne could be sold in the upcoming summer transfer window to recoup some of the funds invested in him and to make way for new signings under the management of Unai Emery.

In conclusion, Lucas Digne’s time at Aston Villa has been marked by disappointment and financial strain. Despite high hopes upon his arrival, Digne has failed to live up to expectations on the pitch, while his substantial wages have placed a burden on the club’s finances. As Aston Villa looks to continue their progress under Unai Emery, Digne’s future at the club appears uncertain, with the possibility of a summer departure looming large as the club seeks to strengthen its squad and move forward.