Youri Tielemans has revealed that he has been left frustrated with his lack of game time at Aston Villa.
At the end of June, Tielemans formally ended his three-and-a-half-year stint with Leicester City, one which will regarded as legendary courtesy of his 195 appearances in all competitions and wonder goal to win the 2021 FA Cup final.
Given his availability on a free transfer, Tielemans reportedly had his pick of clubs ahead of 2023-24, ultimately choosing to move across the Midlands to Villa.
The expectation was that the 26-year-old would immediately command a spot in Unai Emery's starting lineup in the Premier League.
Instead, each of the Belgium international's top-flight outings have come from the substitutes' bench, accumulating 94 minutes across four appearances.
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His solitary start came in the second leg of the club's Europa Conference League playoff tie against Hibernian, a game that was played with the tie already over as a contest courtesy of Villa's 5-0 victory in Scotland.
Currently on international duty, Tielemans has been quizzed on the start of his Villa career, replying in a way that expressed his disappointment over the current situation.
Tielemans told reporters: "The situation is not pleasant. I told the manager that I came to Villa to play.
"He understands me, but at the moment, he prefers to play with the two midfielders from last season. He told me that soon, there will be a succession of games and I'll get more playing time.
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"I know that answer doesn't get me anywhere, but what should I do? As soon as I get the opportunity, I want to take it. So far, I've started once, in the Conference League."
Villa have endured a mixed start to the new Premier League campaign, collecting six points from four games but suffering heavy defeats away at Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz and John McGinn are currently ahead of Tielemans in the pecking order, with the trio all starting the latest setback at Anfield.
Tielemans will be hoping to feature when Belgium square off against Azerbaijan and Estonia on September 9 and September 12 respectively.
Darren Plant
