Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was keen to praise midfielder Leander Dendoncker for the impact he’s had since coming back into the starting line-up.
The 28-year-old started Emery’s first game in charge against Man Utd last November, but through competition for places and availability issues, he played a significantly limited role thereafter, up until earlier this month.
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Dendoncker has now started our last three consecutive Premier League games, and with Boubacar Kamara still sidelined by injury, the expectation is that he will continue in the Villa starting XI this Sunday against Utd at Old Trafford.
The Belgian international has impressed over that stretch as he has contributed to establishing a vital balance in the Villa midfield, with his physicality and defensive ability also allowing the likes of Douglas Luiz and John McGinn to dictate and enjoy more freedom to add an attacking threat to our play.
While it’s another big test of our credentials this weekend as we continue to pursue a return to Europe next season, Emery was asked about Dendoncker in his pre-match press conference, and the Spanish tactician was full of praise for him and the way he has set the example by biding his time and producing when needed by the team.
“He is a very good example of a player to always be ready when the team needs them to play like this,” he told the media, as per VillaTV. “It’s necessary to try to get this speed in the squad. Dendoncker now we need him. He is playing in the ideal way trying to be. He is very important now. We need players like him with the same idea.”
With his technical quality, composure and defensive attributes, Dendoncker has established himself as a good fit in Emery’s system and style of play, and he has certainly dismissed personal concerns that he wouldn’t be able to adapt to the tactical and physical demands made by the Villa boss.
In turn, it’s hoped that he can now continue to set a high standard with his performances, and importantly, continue to play a fundamental role in our strong finish to the campaign as we go in search of three more valuable points at Man Utd this Sunday.
His partnership with Luiz will be key again as we look to enjoy more control of the game against the top sides, and while we wait for Kamara to return, time will tell if Dendoncker ultimately ends up keeping him out of the side in the final few games of the season.