Manzambi scores winner against Newcastle after choosing Aston Villa

Johan Manzambi scored the winner as Aston Villa beat Newcastle United 1-0 on Saturday, underlining the impact of the midfielder Newcastle had pursued before he joined Villa in a deal worth just over £50m, according to BBC Sport. [1]

The 21-year-old headed in from João Gomes’s cross, unmarked eight yards from goal. It was his third goal for Villa, following strikes in wins over Tottenham and Fenerbahçe.

Manzambi said he chose Villa after facing them in last season’s Europa League final with Freiburg. “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,” he said. [1]

Villa manager Unai Emery praised Manzambi’s skills, intelligence and physicality, while team-mate Nicolas Jackson called him “an amazing player” and said he hoped the midfielder would continue to improve. [1]

Manzambi also impressed for Switzerland at the World Cup, scoring twice against Bosnia-Herzegovina and contributing a goal and an assist against co-hosts Canada. A knee injury then ruled him out of the last 16 and quarter-final. He has been shortlisted for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world’s best player under 21, with the winner due to be announced on 26 October. [1]

The victory extended Villa’s unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches after a difficult league start, in which they took one point from their first four games. They moved up to 12th in the Premier League and have six points from their first two Champions League matches. [1]