Manzambi proves Newcastle missed a star
Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi, who turned 21 on Wednesday, delivered the decisive goal in Aston Villa’s 1‑0 win over Newcastle United, underscoring the talent the Magpies passed up when he chose Villa in the summer. The strike, a clean header from eight yards after a precise cross from João Gomes, gave Villa three points and moved them up to 12th in the Premier League.
Manzambi, who rejected a move to St James’ Park before sealing a club‑record deal worth just over £50 million, previously helped SC Freiburg reach the Europa League final. In that match Villa overwhelmed the Germans with three goals in the opening hour to claim a 3‑0 victory. When asked why he signed for Villa, Manzambi said, “The team was very good and I played against them in the final. It’s a very good team with a big coach and that was perfect for me.”
The Swiss international has already made an impact at Villa, scoring against Tottenham in a 3‑2 win and netting in the 6‑0 Champions League demolition of Fenerbahçe. Manager Unai Emery praised his contribution, noting, “He has made a very good impact with his qualities. Skills and intelligence, both he has, and his physicality is very important as well to help us defensively and to help us try to keep the duels offensively. So happy he has scored another goal, fantastic for him.”
Statistically, Manzambi ranked first among Bundesliga players in his position last season for progressive carries of ten metres or more (116), shot‑ending carries (13) and fouls won (78). He also shone at the World Cup, scoring twice in a 4‑1 win over Bosnia‑Herzegovina, adding a goal and an assist in the 2‑1 victory over co‑hosts Canada, and providing an assist in the 2‑0 triumph over Algeria. A knee injury, however, forced him out of the last‑16 penalty shootout win over Colombia and the quarter‑final loss to Argentina.
His performances have earned him a place on the ten‑man shortlist for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world’s best player under 21. The shortlist also includes Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, and Yan Diomande, whose form secured a move to Real Madrid. The winner will be announced on 26 October.
Since his debut start for Villa on 19 September against Spurs, Manzambi has been involved in five Premier League goals – three scored and two assisted – a tally only surpassed by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who has six. Team‑mate Nicolas Jackson, who arrived from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £65 million, praised the youngster: “He’s an amazing player. He’s still growing. Hopefully he can be better and better every game, score goals and assist me as well. Hopefully we work together and achieve many things together. He will go a long way and hopefully gets no injuries.”
Villa’s squad has changed dramatically since the Europa League final in Istanbul. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defenders Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa, midfielders Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, and striker Ollie Watkins have all departed, while substitutes Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho and Leon Bailey are also gone. The turnover contributed to a slow start – only one point from the first four league games – but the recent win over Newcastle extends Villa’s unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches.
In the Champions League, Villa sit on six points from two group games after the thrashing of Fenerbahçe, and they remain in the Carabao Cup last‑16, where they will face Bournemouth. Their next European fixture is against Norwegian side Viking, followed by a Premier League clash with Manchester City, who have won all seven of their league matches so far.
Emery reflected on the early season challenges, saying, “It was very important after our poor start that we needed to try to come back feeling confident, feeling comfortable in how we are building our structure. The players themselves tried to be demanding to change the situation where we are. Through the league we are going to achieve our priority this year, so the league is the competition where we must try to be very consistent.” With seven points from their last three league outings, Villa appear to be on an upward trajectory once again.