Amadou Onana enjoyed the dream start to life at Aston Villa as he scored four minutes into his competitive debut for the club in the 2-1 win over West Ham on Saturday.
Amadou Onana‘s close-range header from a Youri Tielemans corner highlighted that one of the reasons Aston Villa wanted to sign the Belgian was his aerial ability.
That early goal was cancelled out as Matty Cash clumsily brought down Tomas Soucek in the box to allow Lucas Paqueta to level from the penalty spot on 37 minutes.
A late winner from Jhon Duran ensured Villa took all three points from a tough opening game, with the fact the striker has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham this summer only adding to the storyline.
- READ MORE: Jhon Duran posts a brilliant Instagram message after scoring winner for Aston Villa at West Ham
Amadou Onana full of praise for Unai Emery after Aston Villa debut
With Douglas Luiz sold to Juventus early in the summer and Boubacar Kamara still sidelined, Villa paid Everton £50 million to sign Onana this summer.
A few eyebrows were raised at the fee, but if Onana continues how he started against West Ham that figure will soon seem a drop in the ocean.
Following the game, the 22-year-old spoke to NBC Sports, where he was asked what he has made of his new manager.
Speaking on Emery, Onana said: “His football IQ is on another level.
“I think he can bring my game to the next level, especially with the ball, on the ball. Just his knowledge, I think I can learn a lot with him.
“He gives you a lot of confidence. He believes in his players’ attributes and the confidence he gives you is unbelievable.
“You get out there and you know what you’re doing, you know your tasks with the ball, without the ball. So you’re not really worried, you just play automatically, kind of.”
Onana was then asked whether he prefers playing in this team to Everton and having more possession, to which the responded: “Definitely. No disrespect, it’s a different type of football, everyone has their type of football, but I think this suits me a little bit better.”
Onana should thrive under Emery at Aston Villa
Onana scored four goals across 72 appearances for Everton but is already off the mark for Villa.
At 6ft 4ins, Onana is an imposing figure in the new-look Villa midfield and Emery has brought in a player who should really help aerially in both boxes.
- READ MORE: Amadou Onana names the Aston Villa player that is ‘crucial’ this season, it’s not Ollie Watkins
Whilst he is expected to play deeper until the return of Kamara, Onana could well be deployed in a more box-to-box role for Villa once Emery has a fully fit midfield to choose from.
Therefore, it would not be a surprise if the Belgian shows a side to his game that was not spotted so frequently in a more defensive Everton side under Sean Dyche.
At just 22, Onana should benefit from being moulded by Emery so young and could prove to be a really good player at Villa Park.
