Aston Villa’s move for Matteo Ruggeri may appear surprising when Unai Emery already has Ian Maatsen, but the pursuit of another left-back points towards a deliberate attempt to maintain depth and tactical variety following Lucas Digne’s departure.
Digne completed his return to Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, bringing an end to a four-and-a-half-year spell at Villa Park in which he made 182 appearances. Villa have already moved quickly to replace him, with ReadAstonVilla reporting that an agreement for Atlético Madrid defender Ruggeri is now close.
The move should not necessarily be viewed as a reflection on Maatsen. Instead, it suggests Emery wants to preserve the competition and flexibility he had on the left side of defence last season rather than head into another demanding campaign with only one established option.
Aston Villa still need to replace what Lucas Digne offered
Digne’s departure removes more than an experienced deputy. The France international remained an important attacking outlet for Villa, particularly through his delivery from wide areas, and ReadAstonVilla confirmed his PSG move on Sunday after he contributed 24 assists during his time at the club.
Ruggeri would offer Emery some of those same qualities while also changing the physical profile of the position. Atlético describe the 24-year-old as a left-back with strong crossing ability and considerable stamina, while his 187cm frame would give Villa a more imposing presence on that side of the pitch.
He also produced six assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for Atlético last season, having previously developed as a wing-back at Atalanta. That experience should make him comfortable operating high up the pitch when Villa dominate possession, but also capable of dropping into a more conventional defensive role.
Those attributes differ slightly from Maatsen, whose pace, close control and ability to drift into central areas give Emery another type of option. Rather than choosing between two similar left-backs, Villa appear to be building a position where the manager can alter the role depending on the opponent.
Ian Maatsen can still be first choice
The pursuit of Ruggeri does not mean Maatsen has suddenly fallen down the pecking order. Villa invested heavily to sign the Netherlands international from Chelsea and he remains only 24, with plenty of room to develop further under Emery.
What the Ruggeri deal would do is ensure that Maatsen does not have to carry the position alone across a season that will include Premier League and Champions League football. Emery has consistently preferred competition throughout his squad, and the balance between Digne and Maatsen last season gave him the freedom to rotate without significantly weakening the side.
That same principle appears to be driving Villa’s latest move. Maatsen may begin the season as the preferred option, but Ruggeri would provide genuine competition rather than simply cover, while also allowing Emery to pick different profiles for different matches.
There is also a physical argument for maintaining two senior left-backs. Villa’s schedule will be demanding, and relying on one player for the majority of matches would leave the squad vulnerable to injury, fatigue and loss of form.
Ruggeri fits Aston Villa’s wider defensive rebuild
The speed of Villa’s response to Digne’s exit is perhaps the clearest indication that they had already planned for this possibility. PSG were able to activate the clause in the defender’s contract, limiting Villa’s control over the timing of the move, but the club have not allowed the departure to leave a major hole in the squad.
Their earlier pursuit of Pervis Estupiñán showed that another left-back had already become a priority. Once that deal became difficult, attention switched to Ruggeri, with Villa now close to agreeing a package that could rise to around €24million.
At 24, Ruggeri also fits the age profile of the wider rebuild more naturally than Digne, who leaves at 33. Villa would be replacing experience with a player who already has significant top-level and European football behind him but should still have his best years ahead.
The move therefore looks less like a challenge to Maatsen and more like an attempt to ensure Villa retain the depth, balance and tactical variety Emery values.
Maatsen can still become Villa’s long-term first-choice left-back. Ruggeri’s arrival would simply make sure Emery does not have to depend on him every week.
