Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has backed Moussa Diaby to come through a difficult spell as he continues to struggle for form.
The 24-year-old has five goals and six assists in 31 appearances so far this season, but with just one goal in his last 12 Premier League games, he has been unable to rediscover his best football.
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It comes after he made an impressive start to life at Villa, and the early signs suggested that he was set to quickly adapt and integrate into our structure and preferred style of play to become a decisive figure for us in the final third.
However, the goal involvements have dried up and he’s been unable to provide a consistent threat up front for Villa, and that continued in midweek in our defeat to Newcastle Utd.
Emery though was keen to support and defend the Frenchman – and rightly so – as he insisted that he’ll ultimately successfully go through the process of integration and adaptation, and his confidence in that stems from Diaby’s approach and mentality that he shows in training.
“I spoke with him and usually we are meeting with the squad, with the team collectively and individually too,” Emery said when asked about Diaby in his pre-match press conference, as per VillaTV. “I send them the same message – we are building a team and we are in that process.
“In the summer we brought in some players and now in January too. With everybody we have to try to get stronger in our structure in the squad. We have quality players and specialist in different positions.
“One of them is Moussa Diaby and I am happy with him. His commitment is high and his behaviour is fantastic. His performances haven’t been consistent but I can understand because he is in the process of understanding everything.
“He is adapting in the Premier League which is difficult. I don’t know if it’s more difficult than in Germany, but it is difficult.
“We are always trying to send him the same message – we are building a team collectively. You have to understand and practice a lot how we can combine with different players in our tactical idea and get stronger when we face each match.
“He is in the process and with this process I am happy. The most important thing for me is is the commitment and behaviour everyday. He is always with his teammates practicing and trying to improve.”
As we’ve seen with countless Villa players since Emery was appointed, he has improved a number of key individuals and helped them take their respective games to the next level.
While Diaby is going through a dip in form for now, there is confidence and belief that he’ll eventually find his feet and become a pivotal presence in the side again, and that will be a major boost for us as we continue to compete on multiple fronts.
That said, with a trip to Sheffield Utd this weekend, it remains to be seen if Emery sticks with the Villa ace in his starting line-up, or perhaps takes him out of the firing line as it were, and gives him a chance to regroup and make a key impact off the bench instead to gradually get back to his best.
Patience is needed as there is obviously a top-level player there in Diaby, and it’s hoped that he can find consistency and thrive in his assigned role, which is arguably part of the reason for his struggles as he is adapting to playing in support of Ollie Watkins, rather than perhaps what he’s used to in more of a winger role.
