Aston Villa correspondent John Townley recently offered insights into the tactical decisions surrounding Aston Villa’s new signing, Amadou Onana, and why manager Unai Emery has been substituting him at halftime in recent games. In a detailed breakdown on the Clarets & Blue Podcast, Townley shared thoughts on the developing Villa squad, Onana’s potential, and the role of other midfield players like Ross Barkley and Youri Tielemans.
Onana’s Early Impact and Room for Growth
“I think he has done very well. He scored in his first three away games for Villa, if I’m not mistaken, but this is clearly a work in progress,” Townley began. He emphasized that although Onana joined Villa in a £50 million deal and is considered a key player, he still has “a lot to learn,” suggesting the 23-year-old is adapting to Emery’s tactics.
Adapting from Dyche to Emery’s System
Townley pointed out the differences between Onana’s previous experience under Sean Dyche at Everton compared to Unai Emery’s system at Villa. The shift, he said, has been substantial, and Onana is gradually acclimating to Villa’s more progressive style of play. “He’s come from Sean Dyche’s ball to Unai’s ball, which is a massive difference, and it’s something he wants to be doing,” Townley remarked, adding that he expects to see a marked improvement in Onana’s gameplay over the next six months.
Tielemans Shines While Onana Develops
The correspondent also discussed how Youri Tielemans has shown himself to be one of Villa’s standout players this season, comparing Onana’s style and contributions to Tielemans. “For me, Onana hasn’t been that, but I’m not trying to make that out as criticism,” Townley clarified, noting that Onana’s defensive capabilities are vital for Villa’s stability. Onana’s physicality allows him to cover the pitch extensively, and Townley believes this is crucial for breaking up opposition play.
Barkley’s Tactical Role and Impact Off the Bench
However, when Aston Villa needs more incisive passing and creative plays to break down a defensive setup, the choice to bring on Ross Barkley often proves effective. “Passes into the final third per 90 – Ross Barkley is nearly on 6, while Onana is down at 3.5,” Townley explained, adding that Barkley’s impact off the bench has been a consistent strategy for Emery. “So Barkley came off the bench and scored (referring to Barley’s goal against Bournemouth in the English Premier League last weekend), so that’s basically the answer to the question,” Townley concluded, attributing Barkley’s success to his vision and ability to find spaces in tight, low-block formations.
Ross Barkley replaced Amadou Onana against Bournemouth while the scoreline was still 0:0, and he broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. However, the Cherries fought back to salvage a draw courtesy of Evanilson’s header in added time.
Looking Ahead: Onana’s Promising Trajectory
This tactical flexibility seems to be Emery’s approach to maintaining Villa’s form and further developing Onana’s abilities, with Townley optimistic about the player’s trajectory in the coming months.
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