Onana looking like a £50m bargain | OneFootball

Amadou Onana became a meme this summer when a clip went viral of his response to a reporter who called him Andre by mistake, but everyone knows his name now, and he got off to a flying start as an Aston Villa player with a goal three minutes into his debut a 2-1 win at West Ham on Saturday.

The big Belgian was signed to replace Juventus-bound Douglas Luiz, and could prove to be even more central to Unai Emery’s plans, quite literally.

Onana endeared himself to Villa’s fans with the opening goal inside four minutes, a thumping header, and after a commanding performance in the heart of midfield, enjoyed a lengthy love-in with travelling supporters at the final whistle.

“I couldn’t have dreamed of it going any better,” he said afterwards, still smiling. “First game, first goal, first win. It was just the perfect afternoon for me.”

The 23-year-old says he has settled in quikly: “It feels like I’ve been here for ages. I love the communion with the fans, I was enjoying myself out there.”

It helps that his international colleague Youri Tielemens has been at the club for a year. “Youri has been around for ages, I think he helps me and makes certain things easier for me. On the pitch, off the pitch as well. We understand each other very well, I think you can see it on the pitch.”

His most important relationship is with Emery, though, and he makes no effort to disguise his respect for the manager who has transformed Villa into a top four and Champions League side. Onana says he has already benefitted from working with the Basque coach. “I think you could see it out there. I’m a whole different player already.

“The manager demands specific things from me. His football IQ, his knowledge, is out of this world. He trusts his players and the ability we have to play football. Everyone knows their task and it makes everything easier. He’s one of the best in the business and I’m enjoying it.”

As well as rising expectations at the club, the demands will go up a level with participation in Europe’s premier competition.

“It’s going to be different, in terms of management, there’s going to be a lot of games. We’ve got great quality players, good depth on the bench, so I’m not worried about that.

“The depth of the squad is very important. I think something the manager does quite well is keep the group together. Starters, bench players, everyone. If you play five minutes, two minutes, you just go out there and give your best.”

He was in such a good mood on Saturday evening that one journalist teased him about the incident after a Belgium game at Euro 2024, when a TV reporter called him Andre, thinking of the Manchester United keeper. Back then he switched from French to English to say: “Andre’s not even my name mate!”

This time Amadou laughed when a journalist said: “Can I call you Andre?” and went on to talk about his love of music – he’s got a track out, and added: “There’s more on the way.”

But it is on the pitch where he is making waves, and his £50m pricetag is already looking a bargain.

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