Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has trained alone with Japan, after suffering a setback while with the Premier League side.
The 24-year-old came up through the ranks of Urawa Red Diamonds and left them for Sint-Truiden on loan in 2023. A year later, he joined Parma on a permanent transfer.
His displays caught the attention of a few European clubs before Aston Villa signed him. Juventus looked at the stopper, who came close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer window. The move didn’t go through, allowing Unai Emery’s side to swoop in.
The Japan international has made six appearances, which includes five starts this season, and has kept one clear sheet and conceded seven goals.
Rib injury for Aston Villa player
Zion Suzuki made his senior debut in 2022 and has been the Samurai Blue’s No.1 since October 2023.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has called him up for the ongoing international break. On Tuesday, the national team had a training session in Chiba City. Hochi state the Aston Villa goalkeeper missed group training.
Instead, the national team put the stopper on an individual program, away from the rest of group. That’s because he suffered a rib injury while with the Europa League winners.
On September 19th, he played the full 90 minutes in the Villans’ 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Two days later, he arrived at the Samurai Blue’s camp.
| Every Aston Villa signing 26/27 | Nationality | Previous Club | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolas Jackson | Senegal | Chelsea | £65m | |
| Johan Manzambi | Switzerland | Freiburg | £59.5m | |
| Ibrahim Mbaye | Senegal | PSG | £47m | |
| Joao Gomes | Brazil | Wolves | £38m | |
| Zion Suzuki | Japan | Parma | £30m | |
| Taylor Harwood-Bellis | England | Southampton | £29m | |
| Matteo Ruggeri | Italy | Atletico Madrid | £17m | |
| Modou Keba Cisse | Senegal | LASK | £4.3m | |
| Leon Goretzka | Germany | Bayern Munich | Free | |
| Alejandro Garnacho | Argentina | Chelsea | Loan | |
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | DR Congo | West Ham | Loan |
What next for Aston Villa player
Japan have friendlies against Uruguay and Venezuela this month and two more against Ecuador and Panama in October.
The expectation was for Zion Suzuki to be the No.1, but his fresh setback may force Hajime Moriyasu to think of alternatives.
Unai Emery’s side will keep a close watch on how the stopper’s injury situation. Japan’s medical staff are most likely to be in close contact with their Aston Villa counterparts about his recovery.
They host Uruguay tomorrow and Hajime Moriyasu is likely to provide an update about Suzuki in the pre-match press conference.
Aston Villa, who have closely followed Suzuki for two years, will be hopeful his setback isn’t serious.
🇪🇸 Monchi says Unai Emery wanted him at PSG, Arsenal and Aston Villa
➡️ Got to #AFC contract exchange but chose Sevillahttps://t.co/7uv43WOAFK #avfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) September 22, 2026
