Maatsen praised for Villa performance and Dutch prospects

Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen has been identified as a potential candidate for the Netherlands national team following his performance in the 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Theo Janssen and Danny Blind both commented on the left-back's prospects after he started the UEFA Super League match.

Maatsen took over the left-back position at Villa Park following the summer departure of Lucas Digne to PSG. His recent display against the Champions League holders has positioned him to compete for the starting role under Unai Emery this season.

Theo Janssen noted that Maatsen's performance is positive news for the Dutch national side. He described the player as a talented individual who excels when in possession and possesses strong attacking abilities. However, Janssen added that the defender still needs to improve his defensive game.

Janssen also expressed surprise regarding Maatsen's recent absence from the national team setup. He suggested that the decision to use Micky van de Ven in a left-back role for the national team was an unusual choice, given that Van de Ven does not naturally play in that position.

Danny Blind highlighted Maatsen's previous experience, noting his strong performance for Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final against Real Madrid. Blind stated that the defender must maintain that high standard to continue proving his worth.

With Digne no longer at the club, Blind believes Maatsen is effectively the primary option for the position. He concluded that the Aston Villa player is likely to receive his opportunity to secure the role permanently.