Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has become a crucial player for his team in the 2021-22 season. The Brazilian international had attracted interest from Arsenal last summer, but he decided to stay with Villa and has since established himself as an important part of the team’s midfield.
Rejecting Arsenal’s bids
Arsenal lodged three bids for Luiz on deadline day in August 2021, less than 24 hours after he had scored against them in Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium. Despite the pressure from the Gunners, Villa’s management resisted Arsenal’s offer and gave an extension on enhanced terms to Luiz, who had just 10 months left on his deal.
Luiz’s current performance
Since then, Luiz has increased his attacking output and remains defensively secure this season. He has three goals and five assists in 26 appearances for Aston Villa this season. According to sources close to the player, Luiz believes he is currently playing at his best level in the Premier League.
Believing in Villa’s project
Luiz believes in the Aston Villa project and is excited to be a part of this new era. He admits to working hard to improve his game and is happy with how he is performing. Luiz has no regrets about staying at the club and believes that his upturn in form is a result of staying and the arrival of Unai Emery who was appointed as manager on July 3, 2021.
Plans for the future
Luiz’s Brazilian background and family inspire him in his football career, and he plans to return to Brazil to continue playing football for a club one day. He aims to find a way back into the Brazil squad and has experienced national team staff visiting Villa to check in on him and his countrymen Philippe Coutinho and Diego Carlos this season. He is happy with the growing South American presence in the squad.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it was a wise decision for Luiz to stay at Aston Villa, where he has become an important player for the team. He is benefitting from Villa’s new manager Unai Emery’s guidance and has started in every game since Emery arrived, helping Villa transform from fearing relegation to outside contenders for a top-seven finish for this season. Luiz also believes that the club’s project is promising and could lead to greater success in future seasons.
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