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Glenn Hoddle blown away by Aston Villa player who really does have it all
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- Glenn Hoddle blown away by Aston Villa player who really does have it all
Zion Suzuki was certainly involved in the thick of the action as Aston Villa drew 1-1 with Fulham on Saturday evening.
The Japan international produced a number of top-class saves in the clash at Villa Park.
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However, he was at fault for Fulham's equaliser - coming after Nicolas Jackson's first-half opener - which went down as an own goal.
Suzuki fumbled his attempted catch from Alex Iwobi's corner and the ball dropped over the line.
But even accounting for that horror moment, Suzuki once again showed that he has been one of the signings of the summer in the Premier League.
Glenn Hoddle has certainly been impressed as he heaped praise on the former Parma stopper.
How did Zion Suzuki perform vs Fulham?
There is no doubt that Suzuki was at fault for Fulham's leveller.
But he also prevented a number of other goals being scored, making a couple of superb stops prior that Fulham's goal.
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Indeed, as per Sofascore , he prevented -0.72 goals with his stops between the sticks.
The 24-year-old had 44 touches and completed 30 out of his 33 attempted passes for a 91 per cent success rate.
Suzuki had earlier denied Iwobi with a fine save from close range, having done likewise to frustrate Oscar Bobb and Josh King.
Speaking to Premier League Productions about those saves, Hoddle said: "He's been brilliant, not just in this game but week in, week out.
"He's a great shotstopper. That one [to save from Bobb], he's going down to his left then his backhand arm gets the touch on it.
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"He's good with his feet and has every attribute as a goalkeeper."
Gary Neville's Nicolas Jackson verdict backed up by Aston Villa stats - but is it sustainable? Who was Aston Villa's best performer vs Fulham?
Suzuki was arguably the second-best player on the field for Villa, which may sound strange given the magnitude of his error.
Only goalscorer Jackson performed better, with the striker making it six goals in the month of October - the most of any Premier League player.
Jackson registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.24 and had a couple of shots on target.
While the result was disappointing for Unai Emery, the future remains bright at both ends with Suzuki and Jackson in the side.
