“Diabyyy….Moussa!”
exceptionally precise. As he began to develop contacts with Ollie Watkins and his fellow attackers, Diaby also made an impression on the European scene.
Diaby joined at a time when Villa and Unai Emery were making no bones about their intent to clearly upgrade aspects of their squad. Having lost creative figure Emi Buendia to injury, there might even have been a little more onus on Diaby to perform immediately than was already expected of him. It certainly didn’t appear to faze him in those opening weeks of the season.
Without scoring, Diaby continued to contribute. He set up a couple in the battering of Brighton, and then he produced again in the home victory over Luton Town in October. There have been the odd moments since – the goal at home to Burnley after Christmas and the consolation against Chelsea in the FA Cup more recently – but, in general, Diaby’s spark has momentarily been snuffed out.
Diaby hasn’t started a league game since Villa’s home loss to Newcastle last month, so he’s even lost his starting spot. Even when he has been on the field, he hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations that everyone at Villa had at the beginning of the season. His loss in front of goal has, however, been Leon Bailey’s gain. Although the Jamaican was talented even before he came to Villa Park, he is now generating more than ever this year.
