Zion Suzuki praised for 'ambitious' approach after impressive Aston Villa start

Unai Emery reckons Zion Suzuki’s mentality has been key to the goalkeeper’s impressive start at Villa.

The Japan international has been among the best performers in Emery’s rebuilt side since joining in a £30million move from Parma.

Suzuki has made the difficult task of replacing Emi Martinez look easy and the boss believes that is down to the 24-year-old’s approach.

“He is ambitious and I think that is very important, his mentality,” said Emery.

“He is very ambitious himself and he chose to be here with us when we spoke with him about the project.

“Every day is working, showing his desire to work strongly and get the best performances possible.”

Suzuki has made important saves as Villa have won three of their last four Premier League matches to climb into the top half of the table.

But he has also impressed with his distribution, with defender Matty Cash recently joking he thought the club had “signed a midfielder” when watching the keeper in his first training session.

Emery said: “We need one keeper first to save us in the goal. But we also need one keeper to try and help in the build-up.

“In that he is fantastic because he can play short. He can understand when to break the opponent’s press.

“He also has the qualities to do long ball and help us in attack. We are very impressed how he adapted so quickly with us.”