Why Zion Suzuki is already being called a 'big-game player' after Aston Villa win vs Man City

Zion Suzuki improved upon his impressive start at Aston Villa with a strong performance against Manchester City on Saturday.

The goalkeeper joined the Villans in the summer from Serie A side Parma after impressing at the World Cup with Japan.

The 24-year-old came in with big boots to fill, as Emi Martinez finally got a move away from Villa Park, ending a six-year stay after choosing to join Chelsea.

Suzuki featured in Villa's 2-1 Premier League win over Man City at Villa Park on Saturday, and arguably had his best performance yet.

Unai Emery was keen to get the shot-stopper through the door, and it's clear to see why now, as he's been a key reason for Villa's U-turn in form.

Suzuki's performances haven't gone unnoticed, with his display against Man City in particular catching the eye.

Troy Deeney hails 'big-game player' Zion Suzuki after Man City win

Suzuki made his seventh Premier League appearance against Manchester City.

Although he was unable to keep a third clean sheet in the top flight, the stats suggest he had his best game yet for the Villa.

As per FotMob data, the Japan international earned an 8.6 rating, which is his highest score since arriving in B6.

He made six saves in the game despite facing an xGOT of 2.68, as he prevented 1.68 in xG.

He made five diving saves, also performing three throws, eight recoveries and one punch.

Suzuki had a 71 per cent passing accuracy, only misplacing 13 out of an attempted 45 passes, while 18 of them were long balls.

Deeney selected the goalkeeper in his BBC Sport Team of the Week, hitting the mark on the positives that the goalie is already showcasing in B6, including his distribution.

 Deeney wrote: "Fact, he's just a big-game player who gets the job done, comes up with big saves. He couldn't do anything about Erling Haaland's goal.

"Really good, strong, positive positions, but also when they win the ball back, he gets the Villa counter-attack going. Very, very good. He was excellent."

But which other Aston Villa stars did the former Watford striker include in his Team of the Week?

Which other Aston Villa players did Deeney include in TOTW?

It wasn't only Suzuki who was in top form for Villa, as Nicolas Jackson grabbed a brace and John McGinn was at his usual best.

Matty Cash also kept Jeremy Doku quiet throughout the match, winning a whopping nine ground duels and making eight tackles in total.

Deeney was wowed by Cash and Jackson, also including the Villa pair in his Team of the Week selections.

Speaking about Cash, he wrote: "It was like a captain's performance from the right-back. A lot of people go up against Doku and struggle. He didn't."

Deeney also praised Jackson, writing: "Jackson up top, scores two goals against Man City. He looked really good, really strong."

Villa are going from strength to strength and they now have top performers from the back to the front of their team, which is always a good sign.