Aston Villa finally got their Premier League campaign up and running last weekend, romping past Tottenham 3-2 as their new signings proved their worth.

It was a performance that pleased Unai Emery, particularly due to that summer of heavy squad turnover at Villa Park, as the Spaniard said the new arrivals are starting to find their feet.

Indeed, the club were forced into a major overhaul in the transfer window following the departures of nearly half of the squad who started their Europa League final win back in May.

Now comes the part every manager dreads.

Domestic football is paused for an extended international break, which combines what used to be separate September and October windows. Emery - along with every other Premier League manager - will simply be hoping his players come back in one piece.

Where are Villa's internationals?

A large contingent of Villa's squad is away on international duty. Captain John McGinn is with Scotland for Nations League action, and he could come up against teammate Johan Manzambi when Switzerland visit Hampden Park. Matty Cash and Victor Lindelöf are also set to meet when Poland travel to Sweden.

Elsewhere, summer signings Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye are with Senegal for AFCON qualifiers, as is Aaron Wan-Bissaka with DR Congo. Matteo Ruggeri, meanwhile, is hoping to win his first Italy cap after a late call-up.

Emery has already had one scare, and it involves his new number one.

Suzuki could be thrown in for Japan despite injury

Zion Suzuki, who joined from Parma in August for a reported £30m, played the full 90 minutes against Spurs before linking up with Japan - and was arguably Villa's man of the match.

However, as reported by Sport Witness, he spent the first part of his national side's camp on an individual programme because of a rib injury.

He missed Thursday's 3-1 friendly win over Uruguay in Miyagi, with Kashima Antlers' Tomoki Hayakawa starting in goal instead. According to Nikkan Sports, Suzuki has now returned to a separated training group along with some of the other players who missed out, and appears to be recovering well.

Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu is reportedly considering bringing Suzuki straight back in for Monday's clash with Venezuela despite his lack of training, so Emery will no doubt be keeping a close eye on proceedings, hoping his goalkeeper isn't rushed back for a friendly with Ecuador also to come on October 1.

The manager's concern to see Suzuki risked is understandable, because the 24-year-old has made a strong start since arriving to replace the far more experienced Emiliano Martinez.

"We are really happy with Zion. I think he settled well," teammate Emiliano Buendía said following the win at Spurs.

"He started playing a week after joining us and his understanding of the game is strong. He is doing some good saves but after today he played the first half and had some really good saves to keep us in the game."

Villa will need Suzuki, and everyone else, fit and firing when they return, because October is packed.

Emery's side host Brentford on October 10 and then welcome Fenerbahçe four days later. A trip to Newcastle follows on 17 October, before home games against Viking and Manchester City.

The month ends with an EFL Cup fourth-round trip to Bournemouth and a home game against Fulham, with seven games in just 22 days leaving little room for injuries in a squad still adapting to their surroundings following a hectic summer.