Lucas Digne reveals Steven Gerrard influence on Aston Villa move

Aston Villa signing Lucas Digne has revealed that the ‘main factor’ behind his decision to join the club was the opportunity to work with manager Steven Gerrard.

The Frenchman, who completed his £25m transfer from Everton on Thursday morning, also highlighted the club’s earlier capture of Philippe Coutinho as a reason to be excited.

“It was the main factor. I came here for the manager,” Digne told Villa TV.

“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.”

Digne’s time at Everton came to an abrupt end and unsavoury as a result of a falling out with manager Rafa Benitez earlier this season. The former PSG and Barcelona left-back didn’t specifically name Benitez in a parting statement on social media, but did say, “Sometimes it only takes one person from outside to destroy a beautiful love affair.”

A good relationship with his new manager at Villa Park will therefore be important.

“I’m really happy to be here. It’s a big project after the signing of Philippe and the club spending a lot of money last summer,” Digne went on to say of his arrival at Villa.

“The project is really interesting. You can see from last summer that the project is in a good way, and I think all the players want to be here to be part of this project. I will try to bring myself. I’m a winner and I want to win every time and show my quality.”

Digne didn’t want to join Newcastle and was also considered by Chelsea.

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