Amadou Onana is Aston Villa’s latest edition following his arrival from Everton.
The Belgium international joins his fellow countryman Youri Tielemans and his former Goodison Park teammate, Lewis Dobbin at Aston Villa.
This is a much-needed transfer capture for Unai Emery because Villa don’t have that defensive brain in midfield because Douglas Luiz has left and Boubacar Kamara is out with a long-term injury.
Amadou Onana named the Aston Villa star who played a ‘big part’ in him joining, with the 22-year-old pictured around Bodymoor Heath after his arrival was confirmed.
Aston Villa will set off for their pre-season tour of the USA this week, starting with a game against MLS side Columbus Crew, then German outfit RB Leipzig, before a clash against one of Mexico’s biggest teams Club America and then rounding it off by taking on Spanish side, Athletic Club.
From Villa’s two opening pre-season matches, they have made a 100% start, with the team getting their legs pumping and several players standing out.
Aston Villa fans have all been saying the same thing about Morgan Rogers in pre-season because he has three goals from his opening two matches.
Another player who has impressed is right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic – this is the first time fans are getting to see him play after signing in January from Red Star Belgrade.
Nedeljkovic was dubbed a ‘livewire’ as he stole the show during Villa’s win over Walsall, with regular right-back Matty Cash getting a glimpse of what his new competition is all about.
But when Villa’s new boy Lewis Dobbin posted on Instagram about pre-season, Onana was sure to praise him with a one-word message that simply read ‘player’.
Lewis Dobbin in pre-season for Aston Villa
“Pre szn underway,” wrote Dobbin on IG, with Onana calling him a ‘player’ in the comments section and Lucas Digne sending fire emojis.
Lewis Dobbin’s role under Unai Emery at Aston Villa
It’s going to be interesting to see how Dobbin is used by Emery and if the club even consider loaning him out.
The 21-year-old can play across the front three, but there is a lot of competition in those areas.
READ MORE: What Frank Lampard once said about new Aston Villa signing Amadou Onana will inspire Unai Emery
What helps Dobbin is that Moussa Diaby edges closer to his Villa exit, whilst there are also doubts over the future of Jhon Duran.
Either way, pre-season provides Dobbin with a chance to showcase his worth and push up a jam-packed pecking order.
