Aston Villa star who has been the key figure this season could miss several games, including vital ones in early 2027.
Aston Villa star between the stick, Zion Suzuki, could miss a handful of matches in early 2027, including crucial ones in Premier League and Champions League. It is due to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup which will be held from January 7 to February 5.
As Japan’s first choice and their ambition to lift Asian Cup trophy again, after the last one in 2011, Suzuki is likely to be included in the final squad. The former Parma man would also aim the silverware to win his first international title with Blue Samurai.
Unai Emery needs to prepare the contingency plan for that period of time. There has yet to be any official update on it.
Since the tournament begins on January 7, Villa are expected to be without Suzuki from January 2, when John McGinn and Co travels to Vitality stadium, Bournemouth. He will join the training camp for friendly matches. Yet, if he is given permission to join late, then the 24-year old goalie might start missing the game on January 6, when The Lions take on The Toffees on the road.
There will be six more games he would miss, four more matches in the Premier League and two Champions League fixtures. Villa have to rely on Suzuki’s deputy when hosting Manchester United (January 16) and Ipswich Town (January 30), and two away games against Fulham (January 23) and possibly versus Sunderland (February 6).
Meanwhile, two clashes Suzuki will not be able to play are the home game against Borussia Dortmund (January 19) and the last game of the league phase versus Slavia Prague. Villa will be travelling to Czechia on January 27.
Japan has always been the tournament’s favorite. They have won the most title in the tournament history but they have not lifted it again since 2011. No wonder that Hajime Moriyasu’s side are aiming to win their fifth one. It would also be the first title for him and his players.
The Blue Samurai is seeded in group F with the reigning champions, Qatar and two teams from South East Asia, Thailand and Indonesia. They begin their campaign against Indonesia (January 11) and then versus Thailand five days later before taking on Qatar on January 20. Suzuki could be only featuring two of them as Moriyasu is expected to rotate the squad.
In the knockout stage, the shot stopper who almost joined PSG before switching sides to Villa last summer, is likely to play in the games from the round of 16 onwards to the final, if they can advance that far. Japan could face either South Korea, UEA, Uzbekistan or Jordan in the round of 16 depending on their position in the preliminary round.
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