Aston Villa have secured their second win in three games, defeating Newcastle United at St. James’ Park to level with Matthias Jaissle’s side.
Do not be deceived by the Villa’s slow start to the season. They are creating a new squad with the capacity to challenge at the top of the Premier League once again.
Emery has earned his flowers – and then some – for signing a number of promising players after the summer exodus. Many exciting new faces, and Johan Manzambi looks like he could be the signing of the summer.
Why Manzambi is a superstar signing for Aston Villa
In an alternate timeline, Newcastle would boast Manzambi right now, but it was Aston Villa who the Swiss prospect picked, with Emery and NSWE hijacking the Toon’s £51m deal.
After just six games for the Villa, the 20-year-old has scored three goals and supplied three assists apiece, and he already “producing some really fantastic numbers in the Premier League,” according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.
The box-crashing midfielder put his name on the map when he starred for Switzerland at the World Cup in North America, and his swift integration at Villa suggests that, yes, he has the potential to one of the Premier League’s finest.
There’s no question that he boasts one of the most unique tactical profiles in the game. Manzambi scored a confident header, but also won three duels, created two chances and proved a livewire throughout the evening.
Manzambi is the real deal, and it looks like he is going to continue going from strength to strength, growing into one of the very best in the business.
However, he’s not the only newbie with elite potential at Villa Park.
Aston Villa signing was better than Manzambi vs Newcastle
Manzambi is clearly an elite talent. Everyone can see it, and Newcastle have just felt the force of his attacking quality first-hand.
However, Aston Villa’s summer rebuild was comprehensive, and Joao Gomes might have put in an even better performance at St. James’ Park, not just a tireless set of legs, but an intelligent and combative midfielder who adds exactly what Villa need in the middle of the park.
|
Joao Gomes vs Newcastle |
|
|---|---|
|
Match Stats |
# |
|
Minuted played |
72′ |
|
Goals + Assists |
0 + 0 |
|
Touches |
38 |
|
Accurate passes |
28/32 (88%) |
|
Chances created |
1 |
|
Crosses completed |
1/1 |
|
Succ. dribbles |
0/0 |
|
Ball recoveries |
2 |
|
Def. contributions |
3 |
|
Duels won |
4/11 |
The 34-touch Gomes claimed the assist for Manzambi’s goal, but he also ran the show, certainly looking a steal at £38m, joining the club from Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer.
Given the circumstances around Aston Villa’s midfield, the Brazilian’s integration is all the more impressive. Youri Tielemans was sold to Manchester United, and Amadou Onana picked up a serious leg injury at the World Cup with Belgium. He likely won’t feature in a competitive setting before the end of the calendar year.
Gomes isn’t flawless; there’s an erratic side to his game. But there can be no denying the 25-year-old’s immense potential – having spent several years in an attritional setting at Molineux, he is now the midfield anchor of a Villan midfield with offensive quality found in players such as Manzambi.
So often, clubs fail to hit the nail on the head when making sweeping changes. Look at Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in recent years in the Premier League.
But Emery, Aston Villa’s greatest modern manager, has proved his worth and then some, with Gomes boasting the blend of technical and physical qualties to grow into a mainstay at the heart of a title-winning Champions League project.
Aston Villa may have had a slow start to the season, but there’s no question that this new batch of players have what it takes to create more special memories at the club.
Manzambi may take more headlines through his glittering attacking play, but Gomes is showing that he could be an even better side for an elite outfit in transition.
