"Of anyone that Villa could lose right now..." - Journalist reacts after big injury news emerges

Aston Villa star Lucas Digne is not under pressure to rush his return from injury as he is firmly in Steven Gerrard’s plans for next season, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Gerrard was appointed as the Midlands club’s head coach in November and Digne was among his first signings after making the £25million switch from Premier League rivals Everton during the January transfer window.

Digne was forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury just 10 minutes into Villa’s clash with West Ham United at the weekend.

The left-back’s attacking threat and defensive stability were missed as Gerrard’s charges went on to suffer a 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium despite Jacob Ramsey’s late strike.

Gerrard reacted to the setback by suggesting Digne had sustained a small muscle injury and would be a major doubt for Villa’s home clash with Champions League-chasing Arsenal on Saturday.

BirminghamLive reporter Ashley Preece also revealed Digne was due to undergo an MRI scan to determine the severity of his hamstring problem.

According to the Daily Mail, the 28-year-old is likely to be out of contention for at least three weeks.

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Jones believes Villa do not need to fast-track Digne’s recovery because he is a member of the squad who has already proved his worth to Gerrard.

The transfer insider feels the 43-cap France international is among the first names on the team-sheet when he is fully fit.

Jones reckons Digne will be in the forefront of Gerrard’s thinking heading into the summer, regardless of when he leaves the treatment table.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Of anyone that Villa could lose right now, Lucas Digne doesn’t matter too much because he will be part of Steven Gerrard’s