Villa's Manzambi shows Newcastle what they missed out on

Johan Manzambi saw first hand how good Aston Villa were last season and is now playing a crucial part in Unai Emery's rebuild in this campaign.

Switzerland midfielder Manzambi, who turned 21 on Wednesday, scored his third goal in Villa colours with the winner in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle - the club he turned down before moving to Villa Park in the summer.

Manzambi played a crucial role in helping Freiburg reach the Europa League final, before the Germans were comprehensively beaten by a Villa side that scored three times in the opening hour on their way to a 3-0 success.

Asked why he had joined Villa, Manzambi said: "The team was very good and I played against them in the final. It's a very good team with a big coach and that was perfect for me."

For Newcastle fans it was one that had got away, as Manzambi had looked set for a move to St James' Park before opting to join Villa in a club record deal of just over £50m.

Manzambi headed in the winner in the north east on Saturday, unmarked eight yards out when found by Joao Gomes' excellent cross.

It comes after he also found the back of the net in the 3-2 win at Tottenham and in the 6-0 thrashing of Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

"He has made a very good impact with his qualities," said a delighted Emery. "Skills and intelligence, both he has, and his physicality is very important as well to help us defensively and to help us try to keep the duels offensively.

Among players in the Bundesliga in his position last season, Manzambi ranked first for progressive carries of 10 metres or more (116), shot-ending carries (13) and fouls won (78).

He then impressed in the World Cup, scoring twice in the 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, getting a goal and an assist in the 2-1 victory over co-hosts Canada and also registering an assist in the 2-0 success over Algeria.

Unfortunately for Manzambi and Switzerland, a knee injury ruled him out of the last-16 penalty shootout win over Colombia and their quarter-final loss to Argentina.

So impressive were his performances last season, that Manzambi finds himself on a 10-man list for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world's best player aged under 21.

Also on the shortlist are Spain World Cup winners Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, along with Yan Diomande - whose performances earned him a move to Real Madrid, with the winner named on 26 October.

Since his first start for Aston Villa on 19 September against Spurs , only Manchester City 's Erling Haaland - with six - has been involved in more goals among Premier League players in all competitions than Manzambi's five (three goals, two assists).