Although he has endured a relatively tough start to life at Aston Villa, it seems that there is no other option but to return Lucas Digne to the starting side for today’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion.

On the road anywhere in the Premier League boasts different trials and tribulations, but perhaps few places at the moment will be as tough as the Amex given the Seagulls’ current form.

It seems that under Roberto De Zerbi things finally start to be falling into place, as they have won all of their last three games including results against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Meanwhile, under Unai Emery, there have already been glimpses of the promise his tenure might hold after the miserable reign of Steven Gerrard.

Their impressive victory against Manchester United in the Premier League was followed up by another battling display in the EFL Cup against the same opposition, although there was one standout villain: Ludwig Augustinsson.

Enduring a 5.9 SofaScore rating, the £7.5m-rated dud was given the worst score of anyone on the pitch.

Meanwhile, the French full-back scored his second-ever goal for the Villans with a pinpoint free kick to double his side’s lead.

Perhaps under the Spaniard, he could finally start to recapture the form that saw him lauded for his performances at Everton.

Boasting 20 assists for the Merseyside club as well as six goals, journalist Paddy Boyland labelled him the “perfect Baines replacement” - high praise indeed.

The £160k-per-week defender has boasted a 6.86 average SofaScore this season despite his side’s poor form, maintaining 1.9 tackles, 2.1 clearances and 1.1 interceptions per game throughout that period.

With his form finally picking up in recent weeks, with ratings of 7.2 or higher in three of his last five games, it marks the perfect time to ditch Augustinsson and see Digne return to the lineup.

Boasting a wicked left foot and improving defensive credentials, perhaps even his absence from the France World Cup squad could add another layer of intrigue in the final clash before the break commences.

Either way, he must start today.