Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has delivered a clear message to midfielder Amadou Onana, praising the player's "huge potential" while demanding a relentless drive for improvement.
Emery's Verdict on Onana's Villa Journey
The Belgium international, who joined Villa from Everton for £50 million in the summer of 2024, has seen his time at the club hampered by fitness issues. His first season was disrupted by injuries, and he missed seven matches earlier this term with a hamstring problem.
However, Onana is now showing signs of his best form, scoring crucial goals against Bournemouth last month and in the midweek victory at Brighton. Despite this upturn, Emery believes the 24-year-old is only scratching the surface of his abilities.
The Challenge: Exploiting 'Huge Potential'
"He has a huge potential. We signed him thinking not about the work he did before at Everton, but how we can exploit his potential," Emery stated.
The manager acknowledged that adaptation periods vary, and Onana's was extended by his injury troubles. "Especially with him, last year he had injuries. It was a good season, but not like we think he can get," Emery added.
Emery's core message was one of high expectation. "This year, he is progressively getting better, but his best must come. He must get it. He must be so, so aggressive to improve his mentality, and we are here to help him."
A Shared Mission for Progress
The Spanish coach confirmed that Onana is aware of the challenge ahead and is committed to the process. "I think his commitment to understand how he can improve or how he can get his potential - he is aware of it, and we are in this process," Emery said.
Emery concluded with a firm belief in the player's capacity for growth, framing it as a shared objective. "I know he can do much better. I know he can exploit his potential, and we are here; the challenge he has is to get it."
As Villa continue their campaign, the development of their record-signing midfielder remains a key project, with the manager personally driving the demand for excellence.
