Switzerland boss demands more protection for Aston Villa star Johan Manzambi

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin has called on referees to give Aston Villa youngster Johan Manzambi greater protection after the attacker was repeatedly fouled during the 2-1 Nations League victory over Slovenia.

Switzerland were fouled 15 times during the match, with five yellow cards shown. Manzambi and Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni were each fouled four times.

For Yakin, the attention Manzambi receives is partly a consequence of the 20-year-old’s direct and exciting playing style.

Manzambi has started all three of Switzerland’s matches during the current international break and has regularly found himself on the receiving end of challenges.

Across those games, he has been tackled an average of 3.3 times per match.

“It’s part of Johan’s style of play to draw fouls with his dribbling,” Yakin said.

“It’s these skills that thrill the fans. They have to protect the players.”

Yakin acknowledged that some challenges against Slovenia looked dangerous, although he was satisfied with referee Ivan Kruzliak’s handling of the incidents.

Manzambi himself has no intention of changing his approach.

“The important thing is that I don’t let it get to me and just keep playing my game,” the Villa attacker said.

Slovenia manager Boštjan Cesar also rejected any suggestion that his players deliberately targeted Manzambi.

“That wasn’t intentional; we didn’t want to injure anyone,” Cesar said.

Aston Villa signed Manzambi from Freiburg in July after reportedly beating Newcastle United to his signature.

A knee injury delayed the beginning of his Villa career, but he eventually made his debut against Nottingham Forest in September.

His first start then arrived in the 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, where Manzambi marked the occasion by scoring.

That progress has continued with Switzerland, although Villa will now be hoping he comes through the remainder of the international break without another fitness problem.

Switzerland still have one more Nations League fixture against North Macedonia on Tuesday before Manzambi returns to England.

Unai Emery will need him back in good condition.

Villa have six matches scheduled this month, beginning with their Premier League meeting against Brentford on October 10.

With Manzambi beginning to establish himself at both club and international level, keeping the youngster fit could become increasingly important for Emery.

Manzambi’s immediate focus will be Switzerland’s final match of the international break against North Macedonia.

Villa will then hope he returns without injury ahead of a demanding October schedule.

With six matches awaiting Emery’s side and Manzambi beginning to make his mark after an injury-delayed start to the season, the youngster could have an increasingly important role at Villa Park.