‘I hear’: Robbie Earle sends exciting message about Aston Villa’s new boy Moussa Diaby

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Robbie Earle has waxed-lyrical about Aston Villa’s new boy Moussa Diaby as he continues to impress in pre-season under Unai Emery.

The former Wimbledon star added ‘I hear’ that Moussa Diaby has ‘outstanding pace’ and he is also ‘really, really technically sound’, as he told Sky Sports Premier League (30/07/23 at 4:30 pm).

Aston Villa’s new boy has played two games since his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, scoring two goals, including during their entertaining 3-3 draw against Brentford on Sunday.

After all the hype and noise around his arrival, as of now, he is meeting those expectations given his bright start to pre-season this summer.

Villa’s tour of America, which saw them remain unbeaten, is now over and they will prepare for games against Lazio and Valencia before the 2023/24 Premier League campaign starts next month.

It’s a tough trip to St James’ Park first up for Emery’s side and Earle is excited by what he is seeing from Diaby and how Ollie Watkins is going to love playing with him.

“I like his outstanding pace to start with,” said Earle. “If you are going to play in the Premier League, you have to either be technically really, really sound or have the pace to go in-behind.

“I hear this fella can do both. I get the sense that Ollie Watkins might enjoy playing with him. It will take a little bit of weight off him. He can run down the side of the pitch. Behind the backline, which would take the defenders away and give his teammates a bit of space.

“It’s a sneaky bit of good business. He is 24. If he can grow and develop and get better under Unai Emery, then it makes Villa a much more dangerous team.”

Diaby impressing Villa fans

A direct player who is intelligent on the ball, Diaby’s obvious traits are his pace, trickery and directness.

But one quality that probably stands above that is his passing range, which he has showcased during pre-season so far and it’s something that pushes him ahead of Leon Bailey.

The issue with Bailey is that he doesn’t pass the ball quick enough, nor does he have the range of Villa’s new capture, but either way, their possible link-up play and competition for starting spots is going to take Villa up a level.