Lucas Digne Reveals Near-Move to Nice, Thriving at Aston Villa

Lucas Digne, the 31-year-old French defender, has been experiencing a career renaissance in 2024. He has solidified his position as a key player for Aston Villa and regained his place in the French national team, delivering standout performances in recent international fixtures.

This season, Digne has featured in 20 matches across all competitions, including four appearances in the prestigious UEFA Champions League. The former Everton and Barcelona fullback expressed his satisfaction with his current form, stating, “I believe I’m playing the best football of my career. I’m content as a player, individual, and father. I’m thoroughly enjoying my profession and aim to savor every moment.”

Digne is relishing the opportunity to compete in the Champions League with Aston Villa, adding to his European experience gained at clubs like Lille, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma, and Barcelona. He emphasized the significance of these European nights for the club and its supporters, saying, “It’s a privilege to participate in this competition again. Aston Villa has a rich history, and it’s incredible to share these European experiences with our fans and contribute to the club’s legacy.”

In a recent interview, Digne revealed that his career path could have taken a different turn. He disclosed that he came close to joining OGC Nice in the summer of 2023, potentially marking a return to Ligue 1. “It was two years ago. I was on the verge of signing with OGC Nice, but the manager (Unai Emery) was adamantly against my departure. I accepted his decision, provided I would receive playing time and everything went smoothly,” Digne explained.

This near-move to Nice adds an intriguing “what if” scenario to Digne’s career, but his subsequent success at Aston Villa suggests that staying put was ultimately the right decision for the French international.