France international defender Lucas Digne completed his transfer from Everton to Aston Villa for around $30 million and prompted more discussion on the atmosphere in the blue half of Liverpool.According to Digne’s comments in an Instagram post, he was disappointed to be frozen out by head coach Rafael Benitez at Goodison Park.”Only one year ago I signed a new contract with the ambition of staying in this club for a long time, giving everything for my club, for the development and project, that I believed in – and for the passionate fans. My dream was to help the club back where it belongs. Wearing the captain’s armband in some matches always made me proud. Everything must come to an end. I just didn’t expect it to end this way.”Philippe Coutinho (loan) ✅Lucas Digne ($33M) ✅Aston Villa are making moves this January 🤝 pic.twitter.com/yQQwEeQJpS— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 13, 2022 The former Barcelona left-back had no choice but to change clubs after being accused of putting his own interests ahead of Everton by Benitez. But it’s all in the past now. Steven Gerrard, another former Benitez’s player, welcomed the Frenchman to Birmingham.”When Lucas became available we jumped at the opportunity to bring him to the club. To sign a player of his pedigree and quality in the January window is a great addition to our squad and his arrival excites me and everyone associated with Aston Villa.”Saturday, 20.30: (3.20) Aston Villa (3.35) Man.Utd. (2.40)Gerrard’s reputation in the game is proving a huge asset for Villa as the 43-times-capped Frenchman joins Philippe Coutinho as another high-profile player to arrive to Villa Park this month. As Coutinho, Digne was drawn by the “Stevie G factor”.”Yes, it was the main factor. I came here for the manager. I had a very good meeting with him and we spoke a couple of times during this month. I feel his desire to win, to show his football as a manager – the attacking football, the possession. I feel it’s what I want and what I want to show to the fans.”Going in the opposite direction will be Anwar El Ghazi. There is a buy option in the deal for the 26-year-old to remain at Everton beyond the end of the current season.
