Aston Villa fans have been forced to wait to see two of their highest-profile attacking signings on the pitch together. Unleashed from the start against Tottenham Hotspur, the combination of Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson clicked, firing Villa to their first win of the Premier League season.
Both players found the scoresheet in the 3-2 away win, with Manzambi striking first to give Villa the lead, in the right place at the right time to tap in after Boubacar Kamara’s scuffed shot rolled across the six-yard box.
Manzambi then assisted Jackson for his goal to put them 2-0 up, finding him with a clever first-time pass using the outside of his foot, after the striker chested a Zion Suzuki goal kick down to Manzambi initially.
Jackson still had plenty to do when the ball was returned to him, flicking it over Micky van de Ven’s head and then firing home on the half-volley beyond Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky’s whose hand was not strong enough to keep the shot out.
It was an impressive bit of play and finish from Jackson, and was a good example of how he can create chances and goals for himself out of less than favourable situations, which is something his predecessor Ollie Watkins did not really have in his locker.
There is an undoubted scruffiness to his game at times, as several of his shots earlier in the game ballooned well wide of the goal, but he was not deterred and kept getting into positions to give himself more bites at the apple.
More than just his goal, Jackson led the line brilliantly, working tirelessly and making runs into the channels to be available for teammates to find as an out-ball.
He also went on several mazy runs which got Villa into the final third. No other player on the pitch completed more dribbles than his five or had more shots than his six. It was a terrific all-around performance.
Manzambi has gone from strength to strength in such a short period of time, from looking a little uncertain on his debut against Nottingham Forest last Saturday to a brighter showing off the bench against Coventry City on Wednesday, to an impactful performance versus Spurs.
As well as a goal and assist on his first start for the club, Manzambi made seven defensive contributions throughout the game, displaying his talent for affecting the game at both ends of the pitch.
Villa boss Unai Emery admitted that while Manzambi is still not fully up to speed with his demands from a tactical perspective, his quality is essentially too much to ignore and justified his inclusion.
Emery said: “Manzambi played a good match, but (is) not understanding everything with his position. But his qualities (outweigh) the tactical idea of what we are achieving, because he’s a fantastic player and he must feel free to exploit his qualities, but always under our structure.”
Unfortunately for Villa, both players will now go on international duty, rather than staying with Emery and continuing their adaptation over a three-week break from league action.
Even from the early glimpses of the pair together though, the combination of Jackson and Manzambi could be very fruitful for Villa this season and beyond.
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