There is always a risk to making as many changes to the squad as Aston Villa did this summer, even if it was not the plan and more of an enforced rebuild due to a mass exodus of star players.
Two such departures, Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez, looked like they could be the most difficult to effectively replace. The good news is that early in the season, their successors Nicolas Jackson and Zion Suzuki have hit the ground running.
Jackson netted his first goal for the club on Tuesday night during the 3-2 win against Club Brugge in the Champions League, and so far looks a fitting replacement for Watkins, mirroring some of his qualities while also bringing more to the table.
His back heel to Joao Gomes in the lead up to Villa’s second goal was emblematic of the kind of link up play he offers. Jackson’s ability to protect the ball and escape tight situations has also been on show in his first three appearances.
While it is clear he and his teammates are still working to get on the same page, Jackson has impressed early in his Villa career and deserves extra credit for his performances after being thrown straight into the fire, making his debut just days after signing for the club.
At the other end of the pitch, Suzuki looks to be fitting in Unai Emery’s system like a hand in a glove. It has not been jaw dropping saves catching the attention of Villa fans – although he has made some impressive ones so far – but instead his ability with the ball at his feet.
Distribution had been a calling card for the Japanese goalkeeper earlier in his career and it seems like he has already taken it to another level.
The power he generates even when he is not able to set up and step into his long kicks, is something to behold. More than just distance, the accuracy with which Suzuki has consistently found teammates deep downfield with his feet or an effortless long throw has been eye opening.
Like with Jackson replacing Watkins, there are certain elements Suzuki provides that are beyond what Martinez could, specifically in possession. Whether he can live up to the elite shot stopping Martinez provided is another question to be answered over the coming months and years.
With many of Villa’s ten new signings reduced to limited roles so far, and some of them yet to kick a ball for the club, the fact Jackson and Suzuki have been impactful right away has been hugely beneficial, and bodes well as they look to replace two legendary figures in Watkins and Martinez.
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