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Scotland and Villa captain John Mc Ginn asking for a penalty in the game vs Switzerland. BBC Youtube channel

Villa abroad: Jackson and Mbaye combine, Manzambi shines and Cash gets hammered

Ten Aston Villa players are away with their countries, and the halfway point has already delivered plenty. Nicolas Jackson set up Ibrahim Mbaye for Senegal's winner, Matteo Ruggeri made his senior Italy debut, and Johan Manzambi was the best player on the pitch at Hampden. Both internal derbies, meanwhile, went the same way.

30.09.26, 09:28 Updated 30.09.26, 09:42 7 Minute Read

The story in brief

  • Ten Aston Villa players were called up, and Nicolas Jackson set up Ibrahim Mbaye for Senegal's winner in Ethiopia.
  • Both internal derbies went against the Villa man in claret's usual position: Victor Lindelöf beat Matty Cash, and Johan Manzambi beat John McGinn.
  • Matteo Ruggeri made his senior Italy debut, while Zion Suzuki and George Hemmings barely featured at all.

Two Villa men combined for a Senegal winner. Two others lost personal duels to team-mates.

A longer window than usual

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Andrea Locorotondo

Andrea Locorotondo SJA and AIPS member. Aston Villa In-Ground correspondent for Opta. Football writer and commentator. If you are coming to Villa Park, you will always find me on seat E12 in the press box.

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