Aston Villa have received an encouraging Zion Suzuki injury update after the goalkeeper returned to training with Japan for the first time during the international break.
The 24-year-old had been working away from the main group because of a rib problem suffered while playing for Villa and was subsequently left out of Japan’s 3-1 victory over Uruguay on Thursday.
However, Sport Witness reports that Suzuki returned to Japan training on Friday, citing Nikkan Sports as saying the goalkeeper appears to be “recovering well”.
That represents a significant step forward for Unai Emery ahead of Japan’s next fixture against Venezuela on Monday.
Zion Suzuki returns to Japan training
Suzuki had not taken part in a full Japan session earlier in the international window.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was instead placed on an individual programme while managing the rib problem.
His absence from the Uruguay matchday squad therefore increased the focus on his fitness, particularly after he had played the full 90 minutes in Villa’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur before travelling internationally.
Friday brought a much more positive development.
According to the latest report on Suzuki’s recovery, he joined the group that contained players who had either not featured or had played limited minutes against Uruguay.
Japan must now decide whether Suzuki is ready to return to competitive action against Venezuela.
There is still no guarantee that he will start on Monday, but his return to training suggests the injury is progressing in the right direction.
Our Aston Villa international-break tracker will continue to follow Suzuki’s status alongside every Villa player away with their national team.
Suzuki missed Japan’s win over Uruguay
The positive update comes only a day after Suzuki was left out entirely against Uruguay.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu selected Tomoki Hayakawa in goal instead, with Suzuki not named among the substitutes.
Japan went on to record a 3-1 victory.
Suzuki’s absence was understandable after his restricted preparation during the opening days of the camp.
The goalkeeper had trained alone on Tuesday and Wednesday as Japan managed the problem cautiously.
That approach now appears to have paid off, with Suzuki able to resume group work without immediately being rushed back into a match.
Aston Villa need Suzuki fit after impressive Tottenham display
Villa will be particularly pleased by the timing of the latest development.
Suzuki has quickly become one of Emery’s most important players following his summer arrival from Parma and the departure of Emiliano Martínez.
His Aston Villa player profile reflects how quickly he has established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
That status was reinforced during the victory over Tottenham.
Spurs created several major opportunities during the opening stages, but Suzuki repeatedly prevented them from taking advantage before Villa eventually seized control of the contest.
Our analysis of Suzuki’s saves against Tottenham showed how decisive his contribution was before Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emiliano Buendía scored Villa’s goals.
Suzuki also demonstrated his distribution quality during the game, including his role in Jackson’s goal.
Those performances have made his availability increasingly important as Emery attempts to build momentum after a difficult start to the Premier League season.
Venezuela fixture becomes next Suzuki fitness test
Attention now turns to Monday.
Japan face Venezuela in Hiroshima, giving Suzuki several more days to demonstrate that the rib problem is no longer restricting him.
Moriyasu must decide whether to restore the Villa goalkeeper immediately or continue with Hayakawa while Suzuki completes his recovery.
From Aston Villa’s perspective, there is little reason for unnecessary risk.
Villa do not return to Premier League action until Brentford visit Villa Park on October 10, meaning Suzuki has additional recovery time even if Japan choose not to use him immediately.
The key development is that he is back training.
After concerns earlier in the week, that is the clearest indication yet that Suzuki is moving towards full availability rather than facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
