---
title: "Unai Emery forced to wait as Lucas Digne helps France reach World Cup semi-finals"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/07/10/unai-emery-forced-to-wait-as-lucas-digne-helps-france-reach-world-cup-semi-finals/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2026-07-10T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-07-10T08:00:00Z"
---

# Unai Emery forced to wait as Lucas Digne helps France reach World Cup semi-finals

**Lucas Digne’s World Cup run will continue after France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the semi-finals.**

The Aston Villa left-back started for Didier Deschamps’ side in their quarter-final win in Foxborough, with France moving one step closer to another World Cup final.

Reuters confirmed Digne in the starting XI before kick-off, while match reports said France advanced through second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Villa marked the result with a short message on social media, writing: “Never in doubt. Lucas Digne and France are semi-final bound at the FIFA World Cup.”

ReadAstonVilla recently covered how [France’s win over Paraguay delayed Digne’s Villa return](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/07/05/digne-quarter-final-extension-aston-villa-return-date-test/), and that timeline has now stretched again.

> Never in doubt 👊[@LucasDigne](https://x.com/LucasDigne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) and France are semi-final bound at the [#FIFAWorldCup](https://x.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) 🏆 [pic.twitter.com/vEaV8mUhJb](https://t.co/vEaV8mUhJb)
>
> — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) [July 9, 2026](https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/2075339450515652729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Digne Run Extends Villa Return Wait

Digne’s involvement is a positive reflection on his level after a strong tournament with France. He has remained part of a defence that has carried Deschamps’ side deep into the knockout rounds.

For Villa, his extended World Cup run creates a familiar club-versus-country trade-off. Digne’s confidence and sharpness should benefit from playing high-pressure football, but Unai Emery will also have to manage his return carefully.

France will now face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals on 14 July. That guarantees Digne’s tournament will run deep into the final week.

Villa’s pre-season planning may have to wait a little longer for one of Emery’s senior full-backs. For Digne, though, the chance to reach a World Cup final is now firmly alive.