Ex-Aston Villa scout reveals why he does not rate Zion Suzuki

Zion Suzuki has looked weak when asked to command his box in his first games since signing for Aston Villa.

That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout and professional goalkeeper, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 24-year-old has become Unai Emery's new number one, signing from Parma in a deal worth around £30million in the summer.

Suzuki replaced long-term Villa stopper Emi Martinez, who later moved on to Chelsea in a £7.5m deal at the end of the transfer window.

The Japan international has enjoyed an up and down start to life at Villa Park, keeping only one clean sheet in four games but making some impressive saves, too.

Emery will hope that once the backline in front of him is more settled, Suzuki will be able to better showcase his best attributes.

Zion Suzuki having 'problems' at Villa

Suzuki is yet to make an error that has led to a goal, but there have been moments he will not have liked to see back.

Liam's Delap's goal as Nottingham Forest beat Villa 2-1 on Saturday was struck brilliantly, but the goalkeeper may be critical of himself for not getting to a shot that was taken from well outside the box.

He made up for it with a brilliant save to deny Xaver Schlager, and there was little he could do to prevent Igor Jesus' winner.

"I do not fancy the goalkeeper at all, to be honest. He was lucky to get away with one when he missed the cross [against Arsenal]," King told Football Insider.

"Then from then on, he had problems with anything coming in the box. Where he had to make a decision to come or stay. You know, being brave as a goalkeeper, it's great diving at people's feet and all that sort of stuff.

"Wonderful. But, honestly, the bravest decision a goalkeeper has to make is whether he's going to come or whether he's going to stay. When he comes for crosses or balls into the box, and this new goalkeeper's got quite a bit to prove to me."

What do the stats say about Suzuki?

There are certainly parts of Suzuki's game that could still do with improvement, not forgetting he is a young goalkeeper.

But the Japan international can be relatively pleased with how he has started the Premier League season.

Suzuki has a 76.9 per cent save rate and has made 10 saves so far, but it is his distribution that has stood out.

The goalkeeper has completed 18 long passes so far, and often completes extremely technical kicks.