Aston Villa's 'Phenomenal' £30m Signing Could Be Signing of the Season
· GiveMeSport
Unai Emery is beginning to see his summer signings prosper at Aston Villa, and none more so than Zion Suzuki.
Aston Villa picked up an important first three points of the Premier League season with a 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur , with tides beginning to turn for Unai Emery.
The Villains have now won three of their last four across all competitions after what was a difficult start to the season. The Midlands outfit were thumped 4-0 by Brighton on the opening weekend with a squad depleted by the transfer window.
A flurry of late business bolstered the ranks at Villa Park and is finally paying dividends. New boys Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson were on the scoresheet, but it was another signing who stole the show in Zion Suzuki.
Despite the goal-fest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it was Suzuki who was awarded the Player of the Match accolade by Ally McCoist on TNT Sports. The Scotsman acknowledged that, without the shot-stopper's efforts early on, Spurs might have run away with the game.
Suzuki stood strong to push away an early chance for Savio and got down in rapid time to block a low shot from Archie Gray at his near post. The goalkeeper commanded his penalty box from corners and was there to meet a distance effort from Savio.
The Japan international also had plenty to offer his side in building from the back, and was hailed as 'phenomenal' on Match of the Day by Danny Murphy.
The pundit said:
> "I mean he looks impressive. The first job you want your keeper to do is make saves and he did that really well when Spurs were having their best spell. His confidence is there.
> "His distribution with both feet is phenomenal, short and long.
> "I think the tactic today was to go long, more quickly, to feed Manzambi and Jackson because of Tottenham's press.
> "He gave a few away in the first half because he's brave and tries to play some intricate ones, but that's ok. The technical ability he has with both feet and the trajectory of some of the balls is really good and of a real high level. It's going to be a real weapon for Villa this season."
Suzuki could be the signing of the season for Aston Villa - and one they had to work hard to get. The goalkeeper turned down a move to Manchester United in favour of working under Emery.
It was vital that the Villains ended the saga between the sticks, with Emi Martinez securing a move to Chelsea and Marco Bizot not thought of as a potential number one. In Suzuki, it appears that not only have Aston Villa done that, but they have even improved on the Argentine both short and long term.
As Murphy points out, Suzuki has the footballing ability to contribute to his side's attacking moves. At only 24 years old, the goalkeeper's best years are ahead of him.
The player has signed a five-year contract at Villa Park and, while it's early days, thinking just how good he could become is a tantalising prospect. The £30 million fee looks shrewd business indeed.
Aston Villa claimed their first win of the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon, beating Tottenham 3-2 in north London.
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