Aston Villa star wants more after earning 'trust' of Unai Emery

The 21-year-old has played in all six of the club’s top flight matches this season and started in victories over Fulham and Burnley.

Bogarde was singled out for praise by Emery after submitting arguably his best performance for Villa to date in Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Clarets.

And the former academy star admits he is growing in confidence with every match.

He said: “Last year, I started a couple of matches. This season I feel like I can do more and I think the manager feels that now, as well. 

“He feels he can trust me. Whenever I am on the pitch, whenever I come on, I will try and show the best version of myself. I think I did well on Sunday.”

Bogarde has played primarily as a midfielder this season but has previously demonstrated his versatility, making his Premier League debut at right-back in the early weeks of last season, while also deputising in defence when needed.

The Netherlands under-21 international is happy to play wherever he is asked and claims not to fear the competition for places in the middle of the park, following the return to fitness of Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley.

Both came off the bench late in Sunday’s win, while Villa also hope to have last year’s player of the season, Youri Tielemans, back available soon.

“You have Amadou coming back in the squad and Ross Barkley back as well, so there is a lot of competition,” said Bogarde. 

“But I think that is a good thing. We can push each other every day in training.

“My favourite position? I think I have the most fun playing as a six, in midfield. I have played in a lot of positions and I feel like I am capable of doing that. 

“That is what the manager likes as well, players who can play in different positions. That’s a positive.”

Villa have now won four matches on the spin in all competitions, having failed to win any of their first six games of the season.

Emery’s men are up to 13th in the league, though they face a serious test of their form after the international break with consecutive matches against Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Bogarde says they will head into those contests with renewed confidence.

“I know they are big teams, which is why it was important to get this win before the international break, so we have a good feeling when we come back,” he said. 

“I think if we keep playing like this, we can have really good matches against those teams.”