Unai Emery could axe Amadou Onana in Aston Villa v Young Boys after ‘unsure’ display
Bryan King is interested to see whether Unai Emery starts Amadou Onana or Ross Barkley for Aston Villa against Young Boys (17 September).
The ex-Villa scout would still start Onana in the UEFA Champions League clash despite his struggles in the 3-2 win over Everton at Villa Park (15 September).
Dwight McNeil dispossessed the Villa midfielder before opening the scoring for the Toffees in the first half. Onana was substituted at half-time, with fellow ex-Evertonian Barkley replacing him.
And King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – feels that this performance in particular would have frustrated Onana.
“All players make mistakes,” King said.
“However, this will have had a special effect on him because it was against the club he left.
“There is always that factor of a player trying too hard against his former club, and certain things don’t work out. He looked a bit unsure in the first half and as we saw he was replaced by Barkley.
“It will be interesting to see whether Emery decides to start Barkley and drop Onana in the next match against Young Boys. However, I would still start Onana personally.”
Amadou Onana to start for Aston Villa v Young Boys?
Onana has made a largely positive start to life at Villa Park.
He has already got himself on the scoresheet twice for his new club in the Premier League. Therefore, his poor showing against Everton will have come as a surprise to Villa fans.
Emery must now decide if he feels as though Onana has enough time to shake off his mistake ahead of the trip to Young Boys.
This is Villa’s long-awaited return to the Champions League. Therefore, Emery won’t want any players on the pitch who aren’t in the right frame of mind.
In other Aston Villa news, UEFA have been urged to take action after recent controversy involving the club.
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