Aston Villa returned to action after the international break with a 2-0 win over Wolves, seeing one of Unai Emery’s squad players impress.
It was a must-win game for Aston Villa against Wolves on Saturday night, and a win is what the hosts secured.
Despite enduring a slow start, Unai Emery’s side suppressed the Old Gold’s pressure in the opening half hour before Moussa Diaby handed his side the lead against the run of play.
The Frenchman’s impeccable strike presented Villa with the opening goal and his assist saw the scoreline doubled in the second half, setting up Ezri Konsa’s first in the Premier League.
It was a dazzling night for the 24-year-old, who returned to the starting XI with a bang, although he wasn’t the only forward that impressed against Wolves.
Nicolo Zaniolo had another instant impact for Aston Villa
After his goal and all-round dominating cameo against West Ham last time out, Nicolo Zaniolo once again showed Emery just how vital an asset he can be to bring off the bench.
The Italian featured for 27 minutes against Wolves and added a revitalised spark to the left side.
As per Sofascore, the 24-year-old registered 22 touches of the ball, almost double as many as Ollie Watkins managed in the 45 minutes he played.
Not long after being introduced to the game, Sky Sports commentator Andy Hinchcliffe lauded the star as being a substitute that was “causing so many problems” to Wolves’ wilted defence.
Towards the end of the fixture, Hinchcliffe was quick to praise the Galatasaray loanee again for his instant impact.
“What an excellent substitution Zaniolo has turned out to be. So aggressive, so positive, looking to make things happen.”
Nicolo Zaniolo could still have a big part to play this season
Hinchcliffe wasn’t alone in his lauding of the £60k-a-week Italy international, with BBC Sport pundit Paul Robinson speaking highly of the substitute’s influence on the left.
“Absolutely fantastic by Nicolo Zaniolo down the side. It was a fantastic turn and drive towards goal.”
It’s been a far from easy season for Zaniolo after arriving in the summer however, his recent performances are showing a different level of quality to those seen before.
No one was ever in doubt of the attacker’s ability, with the 24-year-old now seeming to finally find himself at Villa, a boost in form that could come at the perfect time for Emery.
For the Villans, fixtures are coming thick and fast and all with great importance, as the club pushes for European silverware and a Premier League finish that merits Champions League qualification.
There are plenty of minutes there for Zaniolo to play, as echoed by the manager after the game who admitted that the loanee is “closer” to securing more game time, as relayed by journalist Jacob Tanswell.
Based on his previous two cameos off the bench for Villa, there is certainly proof that the Italian is finding his feet in the Premier League, with his performance against Wolves something to be celebrated.
