It is a new era for Aston Villa - and Johan Manzambi, who has just joined in a club record deal worth more than £50m - will be one of the poster boys.

Johan Manzambi has scored six goals in 16 games for Switzerland - including three at the World Cup It is a new era for Aston Villa - and Johan Manzambi will be one of the poster boys. After ending a 30-year wait for a trophy with May's Europa League triumph, Villa have broken their transfer record to sign the Switzerland midfielder in a deal worth more than £50m from Freiburg. Newcastle were close to signing Manzambi last week only for Villa to step in and snatch him. With Youri Tielemans joining Manchester United for £35m and Amadou Onana out with a knee injury until next year, Villa needed to bolster their midfield options. They are also due to seal a £38m move for Wolves' Joao Gomes - but it is 20-year-old Manzambi who represents the start of something different at Villa Park. While Newcastle were hopeful of landing one of their top targets, their interest was always laced with caution. Those close to the Magpies were surprised at why the confidence was not absolute - but after losing out to Liverpool for Víctor Munoz, having also seen Hugo Ekitike go to Anfield last year, Newcastle were nervous.