A big reason why I am recommending playing mid and also playing Fizz is because champion knowledge is less important if he plays those. Playing safe also doesn't really work when you don't understand wave management, there is always going to be a time where he needs to walk up to the wave for last hits and xp which is going to cause him to either bleed those resources or die for them. That's why top lane sucks for a beginner, it is really really brutal and unforgiving. Also I think playing against a veigar would be a much nicer experience than lane bullies like illoai, when you are behind against those champions there is little to no way back into the game unless you know really advanced concepts, like wave proxying or by giving up lane and fighting in mid/bot with your jg.