Why Aston Villa's recruitment team places such importance on character

There's an enormous amount of attention paid to the technical qualities of footballers when clubs are preparing to make signings, particularly in the modern game where recruitment departments have access to extraordinary amounts of data and performance analysis. However, something that I think is becoming increasingly apparent at Aston Villa is the importance placed on understanding the individual behind the player, because succeeding under Unai Emery requires far more than simply having the ability to perform at a high level.

One of the most interesting parts of my conversation with Jacob Tanswell on The 1874 Podcast concerned the background work Villa carried out before bringing Johan Manzambi and Zion Suzuki to the football club, with Jacob revealing that the recruitment process involved extensive research into their personalities, professionalism and ability to adapt to a demanding environment.

Villa had reportedly been monitoring Suzuki for around two years, and there was considerable work undertaken to establish whether he possessed the temperament required to make the transition into Emery's team. The feedback was extremely encouraging, particularly in terms of his maturity, and I think that's something we've seen reflected in his performances since arriving at Villa Park.

He's a young goalkeeper who has been asked to take on an enormous amount of responsibility, not only because of the level of opposition Villa are facing, but also because of the specific demands Emery places on his goalkeeper in possession. There's very little room for hesitation when you're receiving the ball under pressure and being asked to make decisions that can determine whether your team successfully builds an attack or gives possession away in a dangerous area.

Suzuki has looked remarkably comfortable with that responsibility, and while his technical ability is clearly a major factor, the confidence and maturity he demonstrates are equally important.

The information Jacob shared about Manzambi was particularly interesting because Villa were receiving feedback about his attitude while he was recovering from a knee injury in Spain. Rather than simply concentrating on how quickly he might return to full fitness, there was attention being paid to the way he approached his rehabilitation, the work he was putting into his recovery and the level of professionalism he demonstrated away from competitive matches.

That's the sort of information supporters don't necessarily hear about when a player signs, but I think it can be enormously valuable for a club attempting to establish whether somebody will thrive within a particular environment.

Emery is an incredibly demanding manager, and the players who work under him are expected to absorb detailed tactical instructions, adapt to different roles and maintain high standards throughout the week. Having the natural ability to play at Premier League level is obviously essential, but the willingness to learn and the discipline required to carry out those instructions are just as important.

We've seen how quickly Manzambi has adapted to different responsibilities within the team, and while his technical quality is outstanding, there's clearly a great deal of intelligence and application involved in being able to operate in several positions within Emery's system.

What makes the recruitment process particularly interesting is that Villa appear to have identified players whose personalities would allow them to contribute relatively quickly, despite the difficulties normally associated with joining a new club and adapting to a different style of football.

That's not to suggest every signing will immediately establish themselves, because young players develop at different rates and there will inevitably be periods when performances fluctuate. Ibrahim Mbaye is a good example of somebody whose minutes are being managed carefully, with Emery choosing specific situations in which he believes the youngster can make the greatest impact rather than expecting him to start every game.

However, I think the underlying principle is clear. Villa aren't simply looking for talented players; they're looking for individuals who possess the mentality to improve within the environment Emery has created.

There's also an important distinction between identifying somebody with a strong character and expecting every player to have the same personality. Different footballers respond to different methods of coaching, and part of Emery's skill is understanding how to manage those individuals while maintaining the collective standards required.

Nicolas Jackson, for example, arrived with questions surrounding his temperament following some difficult moments earlier in his career, but Jacob spoke positively about his personality and the impression he's made since joining Villa. The suggestion was that Jackson is ambitious, has a good character and is somebody who can benefit enormously from working with a manager capable of handling him in the right way.

I think that's an important reminder that recruitment isn't simply about finding players who never encounter difficulties, but also recognising which individuals have the potential to develop when they're placed in the right environment.

For a club operating under the financial restrictions Aston Villa face, getting those decisions right is particularly important. Villa can't afford to make expensive mistakes repeatedly, and ensuring that new signings have the attitude and professionalism required to succeed is one way of reducing the risks involved.

We often judge transfer windows by the names arriving, the fees involved and how quickly players begin producing results on the pitch, but there's clearly a much more detailed process taking place behind the scenes.

If the early performances of players such as Manzambi and Suzuki are anything to go by, that emphasis on character is already proving to be an extremely valuable part of Aston Villa's recruitment strategy.