Zion Suzuki Exceeds Expectations at Aston Villa

Aston Villa fans still say they have the best goalkeeper in the world. What began as a chant for Emiliano Martinez has become a belief in young Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki. The 24-year-old, signed from Parma in the summer, has made the loss of Martinez feel far less severe than expected.

Suzuki was among the standout performers in the win over Manchester City. Villa's victory in that match ended City's 100 percent winning run in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca. In the same game, Gianluigi Donnarumma could do nothing to stop Nicolas Jackson's decisive goal, while Suzuki made a series of crucial saves and, looking calmer on the ball, gave his team confidence.

Paris Saint-Germain had considered Suzuki as a long-term replacement for Donnarumma, who left last year. However, instead of the club planning to send him out on loan, Villa offered him a real chance at the number one jersey, and the player chose that project. Head coach Unai Emery praised the player's hunger and said that when they discussed the project with him, he chose to stay at Villa.

Suzuki's most notable quality is his contribution to build-up play. According to Emery, the goalkeeper's ability to make saves and also contribute with the ball is very important for their system. Able to break the opponent's press with short passes and reach the forwards with long balls, Suzuki has this season ranked behind only two goalkeepers in middle-third receptions, and one of those two is Martinez.

Suzuki does not draw opponents into possession play as much as Martinez does, and he does not have the same mastery in playing angled passes to the wings. Even so, his ability to play long passes with both feet has added variety to Villa's build-up from the back.