Premier League legend Frank Lampard thinks Douglas Luiz is better at one attribute than £50 million summer signing Amadou Onana.
Luiz was an integral part of Unai Emery’s side that qualified for the Champions League last season but he decided to leave for Italian giants Juventus.
Villa replaced him with Onana from Everton – where he was previously coached by Lampard – and the Belgium international has made a bright start with his new club.
But Onana’s former manager believes he ‘can improve’ on one aspect of his game that Luiz excels at.
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What Douglaz Luiz is better at than Amadou Onana
Villa were desperate not to lose Luiz this summer but Onana has turned out to be a more than adequate replacement.
Lampard recognised the positive impact he has made at Villa Park but pointed out one thing that he lacks compared to his Brazilian predecessor.
“Yeah, [Onana is] different in his nature. Douglas Luiz may have been more astute at receiving and finding passes. Amadou can probably improve that bit,” the Chelsea icon said on Sky Sports.
However, Lampard went on to explain that Onana is actually more well-rounded than Luiz and potentially an upgrade.
“Athletically, what he can give you in terms of defence and attack – he’s scored a couple of goals since he’s been at Aston Villa already – is a slightly different profile,” he added.
“Good business when you think Douglas Luiz was obviously a good player for Unai Emery but when you look at where [Onana] is now in his career and what they might get out of him, I think it’s a good trade.”
Frank Lampard thinks Aston Villa suits Amadou Onana
Lampard brought Onana to the Premier League from Ligue 1 club Lille in August 2022 and he was immediately an important player for the Toffees.
He was developing well at Goodison Park but the ex-England international thinks that the move to Villa will help Onana to become an even better player.
“I think a player of his ability, a confident lad, probably being at a club like Aston Villa with good competition, good standards, a good manager, good drive will really help him learn that position.
“I think he needs that kind of guidance. He is still young but has loads of talent and really good attributes: he’s six foot three [inches], can run, can play, can receive the ball.”
