Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League last season, pulling off the feat for the second time in three years. All the while, they also won the Europa League, their first notable trophy since the 1996 League Cup, and first in Europe since winning the CL (then called the European Cup) in 1982. This three-year period is considered by many to be Villa’s greatest run since the early 1980s.
It was imperative for Villa to succeed at a high level considering the financial bet they had made. According to Swiss Ramble, their wage bill was the sixth highest in the Premier League during the 2024-25 season. In the past, their wage to turnover percentage had been a major talking point, clocking in at a staggering 91% the year prior. Qualifying for the Champions League did help in lowering the number to a healthier 72% through increased revenue, although UEFA still fined them in back to back years for violating their own squad cost ratio rule. From Swiss Ramble, Villa’s operating loss (excluding player sales, exceptional items and interest payable) of £511 million over the past four years is the second largest in the PL, as only Chelsea have been worse at a staggering £913m.
Heading into this summer, Villa found themselves in an interesting spot. They wanted to maintain the momentum of this mini era, while having to walk a tightrope financially. Instead, they had an incredibly hectic summer window in which fans were having to say goodbye to numerous key figures. Of the top eight players in PL minutes according to FBRef, only Matty Cash (3rd) and John McGinn (6th) still remain. Their two most prolific attackers, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, departed in big money moves. This led to complaints from the fanbase over how tough it is to break through the glass ceiling.
All things considered, Villa did a commendable job with having to do a massive retool on the fly. We here at The Transfer Flow were quite high on the dealings they were thrust into doing, threading the needle between trying to win now while also looking out for the future. While one could argue about a couple of the moves that were made, most made sense and included some inspired acquisitions like signing Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain.
Arguably the two most consequential moves made over the summer were for Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson. Manzambi had an exciting season with Freiburg before further illustrating his vast array of talents with Switzerland during the World Cup. Meanwhile, at a time where transfers within the Premier League had never been more inflated, Jackson’s price was rather reasonable given his previous success in English football (although perhaps the fee was influenced by some accounting chicanery).
The early results have been promising for both. Jackson has six goals and an assist in nine PL appearances (all starts), while Manzambi himself has two goals and three assists in six appearances himself (six starts). The underlying production for both of them has looked quite solid as well when compared to what the two have done previously.
It’s early, but we’re starting to see budding chemistry between the two attackers. Heading into matchweek 10, were amongst the highest duos in creating chances for one another according to Opta Analyst with eight (Statsbomb has them at nine after MW10). The only PL assist to goal scorer combos with more assists than Manzambi to Jackson at two are Cody Gakpo to Alexander Isak and Evanilson to Marcus Tavernier at three each. That’s impressive considering Manzambi and Jackson have never played together previously.
You see moments of them interacting with each other when starting from buildup. While Villa rarely look to go long (fifth in long ball passes per game), in the times they do towards Jackson, Manzambi is hovering around for possible headed flick-ons into space to destabilize the opposition. Villa’s second goal in their victory over Tottenham came from Zion Suzuki’s long kick, and once Jackson was able to control the quick flick from Manzambi, fired home an impressive volley.
Transitions and semi-transitions have been where Manzambi and Jackson have had their greatest moments so far. It helps that both are active with and without the ball, so they can interchange roles as passer or receiver. Either can leak out into space and be able to attack the opposing defender in 1v1s. Both are capable dribbles with quick feet to react to a standing tackle attempt and attack space, and in general, can absorb contact to keep sequences going when needed. There is still another level or two that the duo can reach during these fast attacks. They can be guilty of holding onto the ball an extra beat too long. In the case of Jackson, he’s missed Manzambi a few times on potential dangerous passes around the box.
Even still, you can see the upside of how devastating the partnership can become with more reps. Despite losing 3-0 to Barcelona, Villa were able to threaten their trademark high line a few times during the first half. Jackson would try to hold an onside position while curling in behind, and Manzambi or McGinn playing those dangerous passes towards him, forcing Joan García into making some critical sweeper keeper actions. On another day, it might’ve led to a big chance or two.
What hasn’t yet materialized is Manzambi and Jackson showing the wherewithal to break down set defenses. It’s understandable given how early they are into their partnership, and the general difficulties even the best clubs have in these situations. Villa would often play in a 3-2-5 shape during settled possession, with left-back Ian Maatsen providing width on the left side. Manzambi would have a free role with his position, even occasionally playing as a second striker. When Villa go backwards to then quickly play through the block via penetrative passes by Pau Torres, there would be Manzambi waiting for lay-offs by Jackson to get into dangerous areas. The Swiss international can also be the target in the left halfspace, using his functional strength to help shield the ball and be a magnet for drawing fouls.
In general, Villa’s attack has not been robust through 10 matches. According to Statsbomb, they’re tied for 14th in both open play and non-penalty expected for. Interestingly, there has been a slight jump in open play from last season in terms of the raw output, going from 0.84 to 0.88. Via Teams Lab, they’re 12th in open play expected goals for and 16th in non-penalty expected goals for. Those rise to 9th and 13th respectively when accounting for strength of schedule and red cards.
Some of this has been the result of not being able to control territory nearly to the same degree as in previous seasons. From MarkStats, Villa are 15th in possession and 19th in field tilt. More than most, Emery coached sides have tended to struggle with being proactive at both ends of the pitch while in a winning game state, as seen by their last two draws against Fulham and Manchester United. Alex Barker and Jon Mackenzie from The Athletic recently explored that phenomenon, along with Emery’s coaching credentials overall.
Considering the squad overhaul at hand, Villa’s early season struggles are not a surprise and Emery has banked in more than enough goodwill with the fanbase to stem the tide. Despite the lackluster attacking numbers, what’s been clear so far is the promise shown from Manzambi and Jackson. Both have been electric and among the better players in the PL so far. The pair has shone in transition, manufacturing dangerous chances and producing goals. Given more time, they should become more comfortable in making stuff happen against a set defensive block, which could help improve the team’s attack. Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson have been a breath of fresh air as Aston Villa try to transition into their next era, which they hope will be as prosperous as the previous one.
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