Manzambi ushers in new Villa era

[Getty Images] It is a new era for Aston Villa - and Johan Manzambi will be one of the poster boys. After ending a 30-year wait for a trophy with May's Europa League triumph, Villa have broken their transfer record to sign the Switzerland midfielder in a deal worth more than £50m from Freiburg. Newcastle were close to signing Manzambi last week only for Villa to step in and snatch him. They are also due to seal a £38m move for Wolves' Joao Gomes - but it is 20-year-old Manzambi who represents the start of something different at Villa Park. He was being coveted by more than half of the Premier League and ⁠represents the start of a Villa refresh. Manzambi had been on Villa's watchlist since the start of last season, and there was always an expectation he would move this summer. Having excelled in the Bundesliga and helped Freiburg to the Europa League final where they lost to Villa, the calculated risk to make him the club's record signing is seen as one which is worth it. His versatility - especially with Onana's serious knee injury - makes him even more important. Last term Manzambi - who won Europa League young player of the season - ranked first for 10-plus metre progressive carries (116) in the Bundesliga, shot-ending carries (13) and fouls won (78) as opponents tried to stop him. He was the most fouled player in the Bundesliga ⁠and only Yan Diomande, Bazoumana Toure and Can Uzun were younger with more goals and assists in the division. He was second for total take-ons (71), opposition half take-ons (52) and total carry progress (2,476 metres). Last term Tielemans averaged 10 metres for his progressive carries with a total of 109, with Onana making just 75, while just three of Tielemans' carries ended with a shot. Read more on Manzambi