Unai Emery ‘doesn’t care a jot’ as Amadou Onana claim made at Aston Villa
Don Goodman has backed Unai Emery over the way he has managed Amadou Onana in the early weeks of his Aston Villa career.
Onana arrived at Villa Park from fellow Premier League side Everton in a £50million deal during the summer transfer window [BBC Sport, 22 July].
The Belgium international has made an impact since arriving, but he has been substituted off in five of his seven appearances, including at half-time against Everton.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Goodman said: “What that shows is that Unai Emery doesn’t care a jot what you cost. You can cost £200million, but if he thinks it’s in the best interests of the team to take you off at half-time or on a regular basis, he’s going to do it.
“Amadou Onana is no exception, nor is any player in that team. He will take any of them off if he thinks it’ll have a positive influence on the team. They have this strength in depth at Villa now that allows them to rotate. Amadou Onana is still learning what Unai Emery wants from him.
“When you go into a new club and they’ve paid a fair amount for you, the first people you want to impress are your team-mates because you want to show them how good you are and what you can add.
“Even though Emery has taken him off, he’ll still be impressed by what he’s seen from Onana and it’s now about building his fitness.”
Amadou Onana making presence felt at Aston Villa
Onana clearly wasn’t happy to be taken off at half-time against former side Everton, but Emery did what was best for the team.
The decision ultimately paid off, too, as they completed a 3-2 comeback win on another memorable evening at Villa Park.
The Belgian continues to be taken off around the hour mark in games, most recently in the EFL Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers.
That is smart management by Emery more than anything as he knows there are others in the squad ready to step up.
And with John McGinn now out injured, there will be added importance on Onana getting fully up to speed and holding down his spot in the side.
In other Rangers news, Goodman has made an admission regarding a Villa first-team regular.
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