Onana delighted to grab first goal and win on Villa debut
DREAM START: Amadou Onana celebrates scoring his first goal for Aston Villa. Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
While the headline story was about one goalscorer – Jhon Duran - who failed to get his desired move from Aston Villa to West Ham this summer, there is plenty to be said about their other goalscorer Amadou Onana, who made an instant impact after signing from Everton last month.
The big Belgian was signed for €55m 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 quickly: “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.”
The commitment of Duran was questioned very publicly when the young Colombian posted a picture of himself on Instagram with his arms crossed on his chest, a classic West Ham fan pose, as he attempted to force through a move to the Hammers last month.
Although Villa were willing to sell, a deal could not be agreed, and it was perhaps written in the stars that Duran would score Villa's winner to ensure Julen Lopetegui's reign as West Ham manager got off to a losing start.
Duran kept his thoughts to himself, walking through the post-match interview area at the London Stadium with headphones on, singing a song with a smile. Onana admits his young team-mate is quite the character. “He’s a very lively kid, a nice guy, very happy, always joking around.
“I think he’s fully committed to his task. He knows what he has to do. This season he’s going to be a very important player for us and I’m happy to have him in my team.”
Emery said the same afterwards, adding: “We believe in him and his potential, we are open to working with him, helping the team, being available when we need him and today he was fantastic.”
Duran's goal in the 79th minute proved the winner after Lucas Paqueta had equalised Onana's opener from the penalty spot. Villa deserved victory against a West Ham side that started poorly, with Onana unmarked as he headed home from three yards, and could have been three goals down before equalising. Julen Lopetegui, taking charge of his first game since succeeding David Moyes, sent on German striker Niklas Fullkrug, signed from Borussia Dortmund after the Duran deal fell through, and former Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville, as late substitutes, and he will look to integrate all the club's summer signings as soon as they are up to speed.
“Some of them arrived late, and we have to manage that. We have players who are not ready to play 90 minutes, so we must give them time to adapt.”
He also needs to sort out his defence as a priority, as this was West Ham's 19th consecutive league game without a clean sheet.
“We are sad and unhappy to lose, we had expectation to give our fans one happy day but it was not to be. Now we must prepare for the next game.”
: Areola 7; Coufal 6 (Todibo 85), Mavropanos 6, Kilman 6, Emerson 6; Soucek 6, Rodriguez 5 (Ings 85), Paqueta 7 (Ward-Prowse 73); Bowen 7 (Summerville 73), Antonio 5 (Fullkrug 73), Kudus 7.
: Martinez 7; Cash 6, Konsa 7, Torres 6, Digne 7 (Maatsen 74); Tielemans 7, Onana 8, McGinn 6 (Ramsey 61); Bailey 6 (Philogene 74), Rogers 7, Watkins 5 (Duran 61).
: Tony Harrington 9/10
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
