Unai Emery makes eyebrow-raising Nicolo Zaniolo prediction

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has made a bold prediction for midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo ahead of the rest of the season. Overlooking the Italian’s ongoing gambling allegations and instead focusing solely on his on-field performances, Emery believes he can count on Zaniolo in an entirely different role if necessary.

The Villans are enjoying some of their best scoring form in recent memory and are second only to Newcastle United for goals scored in the Premier League this season. Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby have formed a brilliant partnership up front as they often play one-twos to get in behind opposition defences.

But Watkins and Diaby aren’t the only players Emery is hoping can have a starring role in the striking positions, with a few other names thrown into the mix. Zaniolo, for example, has featured just eight times in the centre-forward position in his entire career but is surprisingly one of those the Villa head coach is hoping to utilise up top.

“They [Watkins and Diaby] are feeling good together but we have to add Leon Bailey playing as a striker as well. Jhon Duran as well. Zaniolo is playing left but he can play as well as a striker, as a forward. Everybody has to try to get the best performances, practicing a lot to be ready for when they’re playing,” Emery said on Sunday.

Although yet to score for his new club in 10 appearances since signing, Zaniolo has impressed with his directness, quick thinking and powerful drives up the field. Emiliano Buendia and Jacob Ramsey’s absences have of course still been felt but Zaniolo has softened the impact by causing a threat down the left flank.

Emery was impressed with his number 22 on Sunday. “Zaniolo I think played very well. His adaptation is going well. It’s not easy to introduce him in this squad, in this starting XI. It’s the same for [Diego] Carlos, [Clement] Lenglet, Youri [Tielemans], the new players. I am happy with them and I am practicing with them every day on the training ground,” Emery continued.

The weekend’s dominant 4-1 victory over West Ham United, which was an 11th consecutive Premier League win on home soil, has seen the Villans soar to within just two points of the top of the table. Next up is a trip to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League before top-tier newbies Luton Town are welcomed to Villa Park on Sunday.