Nicolo Zaniolo sweating on betting investigation as he awaits fate with Sandro Tonali

Nicolo Zaniolo is under investigation for illegal betting, with Turin police having taken away a variety of his devices, though the length of his ban is still to be decided

Nicolo Zaniolo will find out in ten days’ time if he has escaped a ban for his part in the Italian betting scandal.

Aston Villa’s midfielder is sweating on the outcome of an investigation that has seen two of his colleagues face a probe. The authorities have already suspended Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli.

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali has returned to his homeland to be quizzed by cops and is currently awaiting his fate. Zaniolo, like his two team-mates in the Italian national team, has had a variety of devices - including an iPad and phone - taken away to be scrutinised by Turin’s police.

However, the 24-year-old has maintained that he has not been betting on any sports. Villa’s sporting director Monchi has asked the player for details and was sufficiently satisfied with the response that the club has stood squarely behind the midfielder.

Problems have arisen because the Italian state controls the licences of those companies - and anyone who places a wager on rogue apps or websites can find themselves in hot water. It is understood that Zaniolo is unlikely to face a sporting sanction - but is more likely to be hit with a small fine for using an unauthorised app or website.

He started in Sunday’s victory over West Ham, helping to set up Douglas Luiz’s first goal in the 4-1 win. And boss Unai Emery has given his full backing to the Italian, insisting he is adapting well to life at Villa Park.

“They [Watkins and Diaby] are feeling good together but we have to add Leon Bailey playing as a striker as well. Jhon Duran as well. Zaniolo is playing left but he can play as well as a striker, as a forward," he said after the win over the Hammers.

"Everybody has to try to get the best performances, practicing a lot to be ready for when they’re playing,” Emery said on Sunday. Zaniolo I think played very well. His adaptation is going well.

"It’s not easy to introduce him in this squad, in this starting XI. It’s the same for [Diego] Carlos, [Clement] Lenglet, Youri [Tielemans], the new players. I am happy with them and I am practicing with them every day on the training ground."

Zaniolo was taken off with 15 minutes remaining, by which time Villa had all but secured the three points. They are now just two points off leaders Manchester City, with Emery delighted with their performances.

“I’m very proud of our work with our supporters and fans because we are always playing here in Villa Park, feeling something special with them. We are connecting with them and trying to transmit to them everything we can on the pitch, and they are responding very well," he said.

"They are helping us, transmitting energy. From the first minute to the 90th-minute, everyone was very involved in helping us, supporting us. I’m very happy for the supporters. Always we have to be ready.

“When they scored, we had to use our experiences and try to control the game again – even when we are winning, even when we are losing. When they scored one goal and are trying to take the result off us, our reaction was fantastic and we scored the third goal."

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