“I grew up there as a man and a player but it is always….” Amadou Onana sends emotional Everton HEARTFELT message ahead of Toffees reunion with Aston Villa
Amadou Onana has shared an emotional message ahead of facing his former club Everton for the first time since his move to Aston Villa, reflecting on how his time at Goodison Park shaped him.
Onana, who joined Villa from Everton in a £50 million deal this summer, was drawn to Villa Park largely due to the influence of manager Unai Emery. Despite closing the chapter on his Everton career, Onana admits that his experiences on Merseyside left a significant mark on him.
The Belgian midfielder credits his time at Everton with helping him mature both personally and professionally. He recalled the intense final game of the 2022-23 season, when Abdoulaye Doucoure’s goal secured their Premier League survival, as a particularly formative moment.
Onana said: “I learned a lot at Everton. I grew as a man and a player, especially through the pressures of a relegation battle and the final game against Bournemouth. It was a heavy experience that still gives me goosebumps. Everton is a big club that belongs in the Premier League, so it’s emotional to play against them.”
This summer, Onana became Emery’s flagship signing for Aston Villa, and he cites the manager as a major factor in his decision to move. Onana describes Emery as a “tactical genius” and praises his detailed approach, which has given Onana the freedom to excel on the field.
He said: “The boss was crucial in my decision to join Villa. He’s a top coach with a proven track record in different leagues. He has a special quality that’s hard to describe—he’s a tactical genius who gives players the freedom to express themselves. I enjoy playing possession football, and his approach suits me perfectly.”
Onana has made an impressive start at Villa, scoring a header on his debut against West Ham and adding a free-kick goal against Leicester City. He expressed his gratitude to the supporters, noting their positive reception and the special feeling of scoring goals for them.
He added: “Things have been great so far. I play with a smile, and our set-piece coach Austin McPhee encourages me to think of myself as a striker. The support from the fans, including hearing them sing my name at Leicester, is special. Scoring goals is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to them.”
