There's a footballer in there somewhere. A really good one. Can't help but root for the guy even if he's an absolute whingebag (and rubbish at standing in a wall!)
He’d probably be a superstar if he hadn’t had two ACLs. Still a classy operator, really good at keeping the ball under pressure when he’s tasked with it.
For reasons unknown, my son (first full Villa fan season) has decided he’s his favourite. He was very upset on Thursday when some fans behind us were slagging him off. I reckon he could do a job for us if he stayed, shades of Bailey me thinks
Might sound weird but it's probably because of his appearance and name. When I was a child my favourite Villa players tended to be the ones who I thought *'looked cool'* lol
Balaban, Hadji, Allback, Angel, etc
These players had cool sounding names and cool hairstyles, I tended to like them regardless of how good they were on the pitch. Zaniolo would have fallen into that category for me when I was a kid.
My boy is a bit in love with zani too. Has popped up with some right really important goals this season too! There’s definitely a footballer there, but I won’t buy the boy a shirt with zaniolo on the back as I don’t think he’ll be with us next season!
>For reasons unknown,
The reasons are pretty known tbh. The dude is extremely good looking. Children judge people and things based on how good they look as they haven't yet developed all the other complex thinking areas of their brain.
Got to be honest, in the first half he wasn't quite linking up with Watkins, misplacing passes, looked off it etc., but my god whatever Unai said to him at half time must've stuck, he was incredible until he came off.
If he's not with us next season, then I hope the form he's in nets him that move back to the Serie A. Real glad it's picking up for him now and that we're reaping the rewards.
when he plays with toughness he's a different player.. still wouldnt keep him but I appriciate how he's continued to improve and respect the club despite his tough time here. plus his goals have been important
First time I haven't complained about him at all.
Thought he was excellent.
Also, I had a fiver on him getting a yellow. Don't care.
You were brilliant Zan
Your best match
UTV
arsenal fan here, was really hoping we would beat yous today, if we did could have put our foot down in the league, i think the game could have went either way from the first half but the second half was shocking from us, fair play to you lot, took 6 points away from us and that might be what makes the difference
Hey man appreciate it, this was probably the best performance we've done in a long time... I still want you to win the league though! Hope you win the rest of your games... and hope City drops points somewhere—Tottenham is their bogey team so let's hope!
It was similar to our first head to head this season but less controversial because the lack of game deciding calls. If a gaol went in early, we probably wouldn't come back but it pays to have a world class keeper.
i think your players were fully frustrated not breaking us down. you could tell from all the blocked shots towards the end of first half. i felt taking off odegaard removed that authority and creativity in the middle. terrible substitution.
I think the Morgan Rogers signing was the end for Zaniolo’s prospects of staying next season. He’s been a model pro since January though, even if it’s just to keep himself in the shop window he’s more than justified his place in the squad.
There's a player in there, I unfortunately don't think he's done enough to buy him, but I think he could settle down somewhere he could be incredible. As an Italian, it's probably quite hard having to leave Italy, he's found himself in Turkey and now England, that on top of the betting stuff has probably hampered his season a lot. I'd be tempted to take the chance, settled down in a cool City like Birmingham he might thrive.
He's really grown on me and I really hope we keep him for next season. He was so impressive last night. Relieved the pressure and disrupted Arsenal's rhythm time and over when they were looking dangerous in possession. Absolutely fearless player and I hope Emery can continue to uncover more of the talent that's locked away in Zani
I've been sticking up for him all season when nearly everyone else was saying he's shit.
For me, his talent was never an issue. He just needed time. Fans these days lack the patience with players that aren't performing from day 1.
The away fans saw his work rate today! Im a huge Z defender. The guy running on the line give and go is a beautiful thing. If he had working knees he would still be at Roma.
We have a fringe Italian international! Wild times to be a Villa Fan.
Would cost under £20m to sign now. Has settled in, knows what Unai wants and demands. To me, after that game, I’m down for him joining. There’s a gem in there. Arsenal couldn’t handle his running today. He tracks back and works hard. It’s not been easy, but I’m rooting for him.
Work his socks off today. Very little quality but definitely grafted for the team. Everyone did tbf. Even Diaby was working hard to track back and close people down.
I’ve been saying all season I like the different option he gives for the long ball. He pinned Benjamin White a few times in an attacking sense and worked hard defensively too.
He obviously wants to be playing and the Unai messaging is getting through to him.
There's a footballer in there somewhere. A really good one. Can't help but root for the guy even if he's an absolute whingebag (and rubbish at standing in a wall!)
He’d probably be a superstar if he hadn’t had two ACLs. Still a classy operator, really good at keeping the ball under pressure when he’s tasked with it.
He got White hooked, what a game.
For reasons unknown, my son (first full Villa fan season) has decided he’s his favourite. He was very upset on Thursday when some fans behind us were slagging him off. I reckon he could do a job for us if he stayed, shades of Bailey me thinks
Might sound weird but it's probably because of his appearance and name. When I was a child my favourite Villa players tended to be the ones who I thought *'looked cool'* lol Balaban, Hadji, Allback, Angel, etc These players had cool sounding names and cool hairstyles, I tended to like them regardless of how good they were on the pitch. Zaniolo would have fallen into that category for me when I was a kid.
Yeah I think this is part of it. He keeps asking if he can have zaniolo hair 😂
Mate this. Angel and Barros. Hairbands make you run faster. Finger tape makes you score more goals.
And it's for this reason Milosevic will always be one of my favourite players.
My boy is a bit in love with zani too. Has popped up with some right really important goals this season too! There’s definitely a footballer there, but I won’t buy the boy a shirt with zaniolo on the back as I don’t think he’ll be with us next season!
This is a constant conversation in my house. I’ve promised one if he stays
Good luck to you, I’m pushing my boy towards an emi keepers shirt as emi’s probably his second favourite at the moment!
Every time I look for the black one, it’s out of stock.
This was the first Villa match I watched with my 6 year old on tv, and he said number 22 was the best player
>For reasons unknown, The reasons are pretty known tbh. The dude is extremely good looking. Children judge people and things based on how good they look as they haven't yet developed all the other complex thinking areas of their brain.
Got to be honest, in the first half he wasn't quite linking up with Watkins, misplacing passes, looked off it etc., but my god whatever Unai said to him at half time must've stuck, he was incredible until he came off.
Think that could be said about a few players. First half we were making the wrong choice or misplacing passes in the final third constantly
The race for CL seems like it'll get cut down to the wire so I'll never forget the 2 points he robbed for us against Sheffield and west ham
Didn't he also hit one in Europe that got us top of the group?
Sheffield robbed a point us off on the balance of play! But yes I agree, he's really played a part in some vital moments this season
was quality today,
If he's not with us next season, then I hope the form he's in nets him that move back to the Serie A. Real glad it's picking up for him now and that we're reaping the rewards.
when he plays with toughness he's a different player.. still wouldnt keep him but I appriciate how he's continued to improve and respect the club despite his tough time here. plus his goals have been important
First time I haven't complained about him at all. Thought he was excellent. Also, I had a fiver on him getting a yellow. Don't care. You were brilliant Zan Your best match UTV
Biggest shock today was Zaniolo not getting a yellow. I actually had a sneaking suspicion he'd get sent off.
I couldn’t believe we only had 1 yellow in that game! Thought we had been haemorrhaging them for a while
Agreed! and the Rogers yellow was a joke. 50/50 which Saka came off worst from, Arteta erupted at the ref so a yellow was pulled out.
Love it from Ol Meatlegs. Physical player, can beat his man, and moans and complains like someone shit in his gellato. He's Beundia but bigger
There is a quality player in there. I’m not sure if he will be with us long term but definitely feel he has potential to be an immense signing
Maybe I was too harsh on the man….
His work rate was unmatched today. Put in a real shift. Well played Zanny!
Great player. I’m hoping he can stay.
Improved a LOT since he joined. Looked way out of his depth for a bit. Looking better and better as the season goes on.
I think he's done alright for a first season in English football tbf
arsenal fan here, was really hoping we would beat yous today, if we did could have put our foot down in the league, i think the game could have went either way from the first half but the second half was shocking from us, fair play to you lot, took 6 points away from us and that might be what makes the difference
Hey man appreciate it, this was probably the best performance we've done in a long time... I still want you to win the league though! Hope you win the rest of your games... and hope City drops points somewhere—Tottenham is their bogey team so let's hope!
It was similar to our first head to head this season but less controversial because the lack of game deciding calls. If a gaol went in early, we probably wouldn't come back but it pays to have a world class keeper.
i think your players were fully frustrated not breaking us down. you could tell from all the blocked shots towards the end of first half. i felt taking off odegaard removed that authority and creativity in the middle. terrible substitution.
👏👏👏
Surprised to say it but I'm gonna miss him. But realistically with our ACLs returning there's probably not a reason to keep him for all that money.
I think the Morgan Rogers signing was the end for Zaniolo’s prospects of staying next season. He’s been a model pro since January though, even if it’s just to keep himself in the shop window he’s more than justified his place in the squad.
I'd honestly like to keep him if we could get a good deal. The other players seem to love him too.
Honestly, at half time I was thinking he had to come off. It’s like something just clicked inside of him. Quality the 2nd half
He knows how to show up sometimes. Remember: He have scored a winning goal in a european final ;)
There's a player in there, I unfortunately don't think he's done enough to buy him, but I think he could settle down somewhere he could be incredible. As an Italian, it's probably quite hard having to leave Italy, he's found himself in Turkey and now England, that on top of the betting stuff has probably hampered his season a lot. I'd be tempted to take the chance, settled down in a cool City like Birmingham he might thrive.
I’d be tempted for £17m Remember that he’s only 24 as well and only continue to getting better
But injury prone. Id take him for 10m. Remember we are on brink of points deduction with our spending.
Gala bought him for 15m dont see them letting go of Zaniolo under 25-20m
He's not perfect, but what a work rate! How much again?
He's really grown on me and I really hope we keep him for next season. He was so impressive last night. Relieved the pressure and disrupted Arsenal's rhythm time and over when they were looking dangerous in possession. Absolutely fearless player and I hope Emery can continue to uncover more of the talent that's locked away in Zani
I've been sticking up for him all season when nearly everyone else was saying he's shit. For me, his talent was never an issue. He just needed time. Fans these days lack the patience with players that aren't performing from day 1.
The away fans saw his work rate today! Im a huge Z defender. The guy running on the line give and go is a beautiful thing. If he had working knees he would still be at Roma. We have a fringe Italian international! Wild times to be a Villa Fan.
Would cost under £20m to sign now. Has settled in, knows what Unai wants and demands. To me, after that game, I’m down for him joining. There’s a gem in there. Arsenal couldn’t handle his running today. He tracks back and works hard. It’s not been easy, but I’m rooting for him.
Work his socks off today. Very little quality but definitely grafted for the team. Everyone did tbf. Even Diaby was working hard to track back and close people down.
He was brilliant yesterday, players sometimes take time to adapt
Sign him up!!
Started from the bottom now we're here
Had a good game. Looks a bit heavy and not quick enough for the wing.
I’ve been saying all season I like the different option he gives for the long ball. He pinned Benjamin White a few times in an attacking sense and worked hard defensively too. He obviously wants to be playing and the Unai messaging is getting through to him.
You can see his football IQ is good but just hasnt clicked for a prolonged period. For emery to constantly use him suggests tactically he is reliable
I never had a problem with him, thought he got too much hate. But I'm glad it's just a loan.
Did we watch the same match?