Aston Villa: How Johan Manzambi can lead the new era

when Newcastle Hoping to land one of their top targets, their interest was always cautious.

Those close to the Magpies wondered why the confidence wasn’t absolute – but after the defeat Liverpool for Victor Munoz, Last year saw Hugo Ektik move to Anfield, Newcastle was nervous

Their fears were well founded as Manzambi faltered and Villa pounced.

He was coveted by more than half of the Premier League and represented a Villa refresh start.

Manzambi has been on Villa’s watchlist since the start of last season and there was always an expectation that he would move this summer.

It is believed that Manzambi’s knee injury, which ruled him out of Switzerland’s last-16 win over Colombia and the quarter-final loss to Argentina at the World Cup, has given him time to decide his future. Newcastleits interest.

There’s also an acceptance that it was now or never for Villa as he played just twice for Switzerland’s under-21s before his senior heyday – given his sharp rise to international level if he moved elsewhere and succeeded.

After excelling in the Bundesliga and helping Freiburg to the Europa League final where they lost to Villa, he is seen as worth the calculated risk of making the club record signing.

Its versatility- Especially the serious injury to Onana’s knee – makes him more important.

Last term Manzambi – who won the Europa League Young Player of the Season – ranked first in the Bundesliga for 10-plus meter progressive carries (116), shot-ending carries (13) and fouls won (78) as opponents tried to stop him.

He was the most fouled player in the Bundesliga

He was second for total take-ons (71), opposition half take-ons (52) and total carry forward (2,476 metres).

Tielemans averaged 109 meters for his progressive carries last term, Onana did just 75, while only three of Tieleman’s carries ended with a shot.