With the Italian betting scandals and a lack of goal involvement, Nicolo Zaniolo has had a hard start to life at Villa Park, but he will still succeed.
Over the summer, Aston Villa signed Nicolo Zaniolo on loan from Galatasaray as a replacement for the injured Emi Buendia.
After being brought on by Unai Emery for his debut against Burnley, Aston Villa fans were very excited about the Italian.
He came on at Turf Moor with his shirt tucked in and had an arrogance about him as he went past people like they weren’t there. He almost scored just minutes after coming on but is still yet to open his account.
Fast forward to his most recent Premier League appearance, he took a heavy touch and missed a clear-cut chance against Nottingham Forest.
This rather summed up the former Roma man’s start to live at Villa Park as he has missed that bit of luck and quality at times.
With that being said, if one goes in, by hook or by crook, for the Italian he could genuinely take off in the Premier League.
Why Nicolo Zaniolo will succeed with Aston Villa
His performances have not been up to scratch recently. This has been paired with positive signs from Youri Tielemans and Leon Bailey. Zaniolo has dropped down the pecking order in quick time.
It must be said that Emery sees his future further up the pitch, challenging Moussa Diaby for his role. On that, the manager told the Daily Mail: “He is not playing in his best position but he is helping us and I want to increase his level with us.”
Given the form of the Frenchman that may prove to be difficult but with so many games this season, the loanee will get a chance.
Looking at Fbref, Zaniolo has excelled in certain areas, ranking him amongst the best in his position. When it comes to touches in the opposition’s penalty area and total shots he ranks in the top 7% and 1% respectively.
Although these two attacking metrics are positive, his shot-creating actions and expected assists could be much improved.
It isn’t all doom and gloom as there are positive signs as his non-penalty xG ranks him in the top 22% of attacking midfielders and wingers. He just needs one chance to go his way and find the net.
What will please Emery is that his defensive stats are very good for a player who is typically more attack-focused. With 1.48 blocks, 0.82 clearances and 0.82 aerial duels won, he is defensively very solid.
When he scores one, he will score five or six. You don’t underperform your expected goals forever and at some point, it will go his way.
Once that happens he will become a useful weapon for Emery in the Premier League and in Europe.
