Morgan Sanson was given an olive branch by Steven Gerrard this summer, making the Aston Villa squad for their pre-season tour of Australia, and the 27-year-old has taken his chance to impress with both hands.
Sanson made only 10 Premier League appearances last season and spent much of the campaign as an unused substitute, but he may have given his manager food for thought after thriving for getting more minutes in Villa’s friendlies.
The uncapped Frenchman has featured in all but one of their four exhibition games this summer. He was given 45 minutes in their 4-0 win over Walsall on July 9, 45 minutes in their 1-0 win over Leeds United on July 17 and came off the bench in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on July 23.
Sanson didn’t play in Villa’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar, but he’s made a great account for himself in pre-season and could have a more important role this coming campaign.
For Gerrard to give the 27-year-old minutes against United when he had Boubacar Kamara and Tim Iroegbunam at his disposal should give Sanson hope of playing more games in 2022/23. Time will tell.
In other news, has Steven Gerrard made a decision on Frederic Guilbert?
