Nicolo Zaniolo could be handed shot at redemption v West Ham as Aston Villa training news emerges
Aston Villa star Nicolo Zaniolo is in training at Villa Park and considered available for Sunday’s Premier League clash against West Ham United after his illegal betting controversy, according to Tom Collomosse.
The Daily Mail journalist, taking to his personal Twitter account (19 October) shared that Aston Villa have spoken to the Italian international and are following the situation closely after being questioned by authorities over illegal betting allegations.
The on-loan Villa Park forward alongside Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali left the Italian national team’s training camp during this month’s international break after being questioned by police on 12 October.
It’s safe to say that Zaniolo hasn’t particularly backed up the fan’s excitement regarding his move from Galatasaray in Turkey and this recent situation may well leave his future in the West Midlands in doubt.
However, as things stand, he has been training with the team at Bodymoor Heath and is available for Sunday’s game at Villa Park against rivals West Ham.
Collomosse wrote: “As things stand, Nicolò Zaniolo is training and considered available for Aston Villa against West Ham on Sunday. Club have spoken to him and are following the situation closely.”
The 24-year-old has endured a rather difficult spell since his summer loan move, only showing flashes of his brilliance despite being handed regular starts by Unai Emery.
One of his worst showings at Villa came in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on 16 September where he won just four of his 12 total duels, barely touched the ball with just 37 touches to his name and 14/18 out of successful passes, completed just one of his four dribbles at a 25% success rate while also losing possession of the ball 15 times [SofaScore].
Against Brighton on 30 September, it was a similar trend, barely on the ball for his team with 20 touches, completing just three of his passes and failing to complete any of his four dribbles, won one of his 13 ground duels at a dreadful rate of 7%, lost possession of the ball eleven times and registered zero key passes also giving away four fouls [SofaScore] in a disappointing performance.
The Italian was later dropped for the 8 October Midlands derby showpiece against Wolves at the Molineux which ended in a 1-1 draw and it certainly pointed to his struggles so far in an Aston Villa shirt.
Given he only just signed on the dotted line at Villa Park a couple of months ago, Zaniolo still has a lot of acclimatising to do to get to grips with life in the West Midlands but this recent betting situation could certainly leave his future under Unai Emery in serious doubt.
However, it is indeed promising news for him that Villa are allowing him to continue playing for the club despite the allegations and investigation and Sunday’s game against West Ham United could well be his redemption road and a chance to crack open some light in an otherwise dark short stint in Birmingham so far.
In other Aston Villa news, Louie Barry could be fighting for his future at Villa Park as his latest deal may be terminated early.