Unai Emery makes Moussa Diaby hint after third straight Aston Villa benching

Unai Emery has confirmed Aston Villa record signing Moussa Diaby's three successive benchings in the Premier League have been fully tactical, with no fitness concerns involved. The French winger, who cost £52 million from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, kicked off the season superbly but has been a substitute rather than a starter over recent weeks.

A change in system from a 4-4-2 with Diaby as a second forward to a 4-4-1-1 with Youri Tielemans just in behind and Leon Bailey wide right has taken precedence – and it has worked. Emery adding an extra man to the midfield has helped Villa win the midfield battles against Manchester City and Arsenal superbly.

Still, it wasn't completely understood whether the change was enforced by Diaby's energy levels dropping off or if it was merely tactical preference. It turns out it has very much been the latter and a hint has been made that Villa's number 19 could be more of a super sub for the time being – bad news for Fantasy Football players.

"Yes, it’s tactical because we were practicing and trying to build the team with a different structure," Emery told Birmingham World. "We decided firstly in Bournemouth, second on Wednesday, and today repeated with one combination – trying to get a good position on the pitch and trying to control the game and trying to be competitive.

"After the match we played on Wednesday, it was normal to repeat the same XI. During the match today, I was watching and I had to be clinical to change my players. But I am very happy with Moussa. Today, his 45 minutes was fantastic," Emery continued.

Diaby could have a chance to regain his spot in the starting XI as Villa take on Zrinjski on Thursday. He may also play on Sunday against Brentford if it turns out Bailey and Tielemans have picked up knocks, as both hobbled off and were substituted during Saturday's 1-0 win over Arsenal.