Zion Suzuki
AVL
Goalkeeper
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Aug 21, 2002 (24)
Right
6'3"
216 lb
Makes six saves in victory
Suzuki made six saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 2-1 victory versus Manchester City.
Analysis: Manchester City took 15 shots and maintained 63% possession, meaning Suzuki faced sustained pressure from the opposition throughout the game. Nevertheless, the Japanese international made six saves and allowed only one goal as Aston Villa secured three points against the Sky Blues. With an approximately 86% save rate, Suzuki had an outstanding game despite missing out on a clean sheet.
Beaten late in win
Suzuki recorded two saves and allowed one goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Viking FK.
Analysis: Suzuki was rarely tested and both of his saves came from shots outside the box. The goalkeeper looked set for a clean sheet until Peter Christiansen beat him with a spectacular volley in the 84th minute. The Japan international was therefore denied back to back shutouts in Europe after the 6-0 win over Fenerbahce, along with what would have been a third in a row in all competitions following the 1-0 win at Newcastle. He now turns his attention to the Premier League, though Manchester City at home on Saturday is a far sterner examination.
One impressive in 1-0 win
Suzuki made one save and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 1-0 win versus Newcastle United.
Analysis: Suzuki was required to put a strong hand to one effort from Sven Botman to deny Newcastle with their only shot on target. The young Japanese keeper has kept another clean sheet having also kept a clean sheet against Fenerbahce during the week. This is his second clean sheet of the Premier League season, both of which have come away from home.
Keeps first home clean sheet
Suzuki made four saves and secured a clean sheet in Wednesday's 6-0 victory over Fenerbahce.
Analysis: Suzuki was as important as anyone in Villa's win over Fenerbahce, particularly in a first half in which the visitors created chances of their own. His key interventions kept the score in Villa's favour as they pulled 3-0 clear, and he ended the night with four saves and his first clean sheet in front of the home crowd. It has been a busy spell for the goalkeeper with 18 saves and eight goals conceded in his four games before this one, and this was the fifth time in six games he made four or more saves. He could look to build on it at Newcastle on Saturday.
Makes three saves in draw
Suzuki had three saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Brentford.
Analysis: Suzuki produced three saves, including an important stop to deny Kevin Schade shortly after halftime, but was beaten by Yehor Yarmolyuk and Kristoffer Ajer. The goalkeeper has now registered 18 saves, conceded seven goals and kept one clean sheet across five Premier League appearances this season. He remains Aston Villa's regular starter between the posts and will next face Fenerbahce in Wednesday's Champions League clash before taking on Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Keeps clean sheet for Japan
Suzuki kept a clean sheet in Japan's 0-0 draw with Ecuador before saving a penalty in the shootout to help his side earn a 5-4 victory, according to the club.
Analysis: Suzuki completed the full match after playing 45 minutes off the bench against Venezuela earlier in the international break, further confirming that his recent rib issue is behind him. The goalkeeper made a key save on Ecuador's third attempt in the shootout and recorded his 17th clean sheet in 30 senior international appearances. Suzuki should be ready to resume his role as Aston Villa's No. 1 following the break after showing no apparent limitations with Japan.
Makes bench against Venezuela
Suzuki (ribs) is among the Japan substitutes for Monday's Kirin Challenge Cup clash against Venezuela, according to the national team.
Analysis: Suzuki had been kept on an individual program after carrying a rib injury into camp from Aston Villa, so his place on the bench suggests the issue is manageable and he is at least fit enough to be an option. His status for the rest of the international window will depend on how he responds, with Japan having little reason to risk him in a friendly.
Trains separately with rib injury
Suzuki is certain to miss Thursday's friendly against Uruguay after a rib injury sustained on club duty kept him on an individual program on Tuesday and Wednesday, Tokyo Sports reports.
Analysis: Zion Suzuki has been kept out of Japan's group training sessions for two days after carrying a rib injury into camp from Aston Villa, making him almost certain to miss Thursday's friendly against Uruguay. His involvement in individual work suggests a manageable issue rather than a major setback, and Japan have little reason to risk him in a friendly while he recovers. With no firm return timeline established, his progression back into full goalkeeping work will determine whether he can feature later in the international window.
Concedes two late goals Saturday
Suzuki recorded five saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Analysis: Suzuki was well on his way to a clean sheet Saturday, but a pair of Spurs goals after the 86th minute took that away. It marked the third straight match he conceded two goals, and also the third straight match with five saves. Next up is a difficult match versus Brentford on Oct. 10, a side which has scored 10 goals through five matches this season.
Beaten twice in defeat
Suzuki recorded five saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: Suzuki made five saves in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League home defeat to Nottingham Forest, including a sharp tip-over from James McAtee's deflected long-range effort in the first half and denying multiple Morgan Gibbs-White attempts throughout. He conceded Liam Delap's 46th minute opener and Igor Jesus' 88th minute winner, both from inside the box, and could do little about either goal. Suzuki and Villa are still to win their first Premier League game of the season and the keeper will hope to show a better figure against Tottenham on Saturday.
Five saves in win
Suzuki made five saves and allowed two goals in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over Club Brugge.
Analysis: Suzuki was brilliant during Tuesday's win and totaled five saves on seven shots faced. The goalkeeper was excellent throughout, but especially once Villa were trying to see out the match in the second half. He has plenty of talent to step in and be an immediate top-half keeper in the Premier League after his move to Villa.
Keeps first clean sheet with Villa
Suzuki recorded four saves and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Hull City.
Analysis: It was a fine game for Suzuki, who kept his first clean sheet for Villa on his second start. The young goalkeeper looked settled with the ball at his feet and completed eight of his 11 long balls, while three of his four saves were dealt with comfortably. He needed a slice of fortune when Mohamed Belloumi's effort came back off the woodwork, but his biggest save came late in the game when he denied Mohamed Ali Cho. Next comes his first European assignment for the club at Club Brugge on Tuesday.
Concedes once in debut
Suzuki registered one save and allowed one goal in Monday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Analysis: Just a day after Emiliano Martinez joined Chelsea, Suzuki made his debut for Aston Villa as the club's new No. 1. His defense had a much stronger performance than in the season opener, only allowing two shots on target versus a strong Arsenal side. He faces a more favorable matchup Saturday at Hull City.
Signs with Aston Villa
Suzuki has completed a permanent transfer to Aston Villa from Parma, the club announced.
Analysis: Suzuki, born in the USA but raised in Urawa, Japan, made his professional debut for Urawa Red Diamonds at 18 before a brief stint at Sint-Truiden in Belgium and the past two seasons at Parma in Serie A. The goalkeeper represented Japan at the 2026 World Cup and has been capped 22 times at senior level for the national team. Suzuki is expected to compete for the starting goalkeeper role regardless of Emiliano Martinez's situation, with Martinez's future at the club uncertain and the Argentine having dealt with a finger injury in recent months. His arrival gives Villa a highly regarded young option between the posts as they navigate the goalkeeper position going forward.
Beaten twice in second half
Suzuki had four saves and allowed two goals in Monday's 2-1 defeat against Brazil.
Analysis: Suzuki delivered an absolute clinic between the posts at times, but the goalkeeper was beaten twice in the second half by Casemiro (thigh) and Gabriel Martinelli. Suzuki's WC campaign with Japan comes to an end after conceding five goals in four appearances. He made 12 saves and kept a clean sheet against Tunisia.
Allows one against Sweden
Suzuki made four saves and allowed one goal in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Sweden.
Analysis: Suzuki would have an excellent night in net as he made a few major saves while earning four, although it wasn't enough for a clean sheet with one goal allowed. He remains at a top level for the team when challenged, despite the three goals allowed in three games, with eight saves being made. He will now prepare for the knockouts, where his opponent remains to be determined, playing either Norway or France.
Clean sheet against Tunisia
Suzuki recorded no saves and a clean sheet in Saturday's 4-0 win over Tunisia.
Analysis: Suzuki had nothing to do with Saturday's dominant win, as he was not tested with a single shot on net on his way to a clean sheet. This is after a much more challenging match against the Netherlands, forced to make four saves in that contest. He will now face Sweden in their group stage finale, likely be a tough task when facing Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak.
Four saves made, allows two in draw
Suzuki made four saves and allowed two goals in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Netherlands.
Analysis: Suzuki opened Japan's 2026 World Cup campaign on Sunday against heavy group favorites Netherlands, conceding two second‑half goals but also producing four big saves to help secure a 2-2 draw. Both goals came from close‑range efforts inside the box, with Japan's back line repeatedly left exposed by the Dutch attack. Even so, Suzuki's shot‑stopping kept Japan in the match, and his overall form suggests he should be well‑positioned for the remaining group matches. Japan's next match comes against Tunisia on June 21 in Mexico.
Set to start with Japan
Suzuki has been named in Japan's World Cup squad and is expected to start every fixture as coach Hajime Moriyasu's undisputed first choice in goal.
Analysis: Suzuki made 20 Serie A appearances for Parma this season, recording five clean sheets and 1,800 minutes across the campaign in what was another steady year for the keeper between the posts. His composure under pressure, ability to distribute with his feet and commanding presence in the box make him a natural fit for Japan's possession-based system, and manager Moriyasu will rely on him heavily throughout the competition. Suzuki heads into the World Cup as the undisputed number one for the Samurai Blue and a key pillar of Japan's defensive structure heading into what promises to be a demanding group stage.
Six saves in 1-0 loss
Suzuki registered six saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 1-0 loss against Como.
Analysis: Suzuki made six saves as Parma fell to a 1-0 defeat against Como. The Japanese keeper has kept give clean sheets in 20 games this season after a significant period out during the season. This was the third time this year that he has made six or more saves.
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