For years, Aston Villa’s midfield has been a playground for the Premier League’s most physical bullies a gaping hole where a true “enforcer” should be. Sunday afternoon 2-0 victory against West Ham United, Amadou Onana didn’t just fill that gap; he dominated it.
Amadou Onana has struggled in recent matches, but yesterday’s win over West Ham was a sign that he is back to his best. Since he arrived at Aston Villa, injuries have hampered his progress, but at times, he has shown glimpses of why Villa spent £50 million on him.
For many seasons, Villa have lacked a tall, strong defensive midfielder who can break up play and bully the opposition. Yesterday’s performance showed Onana to be exactly that player.
Not only was his defensive work outstanding, but his passing range and composure on the ball were a drastic improvement compared to recent weeks. Since the key injuries to John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans, Onana hasn’t been up to the standards he is capable of.
Loose in possession and beaten off the ball easily were traits consistently shown in the last few games before West Ham. But now with McGinn and Tielemans returning to the squad, perhaps it has given Onana a much needed boost for his confidence.
Villa need a strong finish
The win over West Ham came at a good time. With only one league win in their previous seven, it was important that Villa headed into this international break on a high. Teams around them continue to drop points, so now’s the chance to pick up some form. Consistency will be key in order for Villa to qualify for the Champions League. Yesterday’s performance was very good, but can they replicate it for the remainder of the season.
