Amadou Onana has called on his Aston Villa teammates to remain alert as they prepare to face Everton, particularly in light of the managerial changes at Goodison Park. The former Everton midfielder, who made a £50 million switch to Villa this summer, played a pivotal role in their recent 2-1 victory over West Ham, scoring the equaliser that propelled Villa into the FA Cup Fourth Round.
As Villa gears up to confront Everton's newly appointed manager David Moyes on Tuesday, Onana is acutely aware of the motivation that often accompanies a change in management. He reflected on his own experiences in the Premier League, stating, “We've got to be really careful - because I've been there myself when Sean Dyche came in for his first game. I think it was against Arsenal at home. It gives you that extra motivation, extra drive. So we really have to be careful, respect them and, yeah, prepare the game. But I'm sure our gaffer will have a plan - and we'll follow that.”
Onana also shared his thoughts on Everton's recent struggles, particularly their narrow escape from relegation, which was secured through a tense 1-0 victory over Bournemouth. He expressed his appreciation for his time at the club, saying, “Goodison Park is special, you know, because that's the place that gave me the opportunity to showcase my abilities in the Premier League. I was grateful for the opportunity, but yeah, looking forward to it. I enjoy playing at Goodison; I hope this time it will be better for us. I respect the fans but I don't want them to be too happy next week. I might allow that for this week (the week after). I hope it'll be better for us.”
Moyes faces a significant challenge as he takes the reins at Everton, who currently find themselves in 16th place in the Premier League, precariously just one point above the relegation zone. In contrast, Aston Villa are positioned comfortably in eighth place, with the chance to enhance their European aspirations through a strong performance in the upcoming match. The stakes are undeniably high, as both teams seek to secure vital points in their respective campaigns. This encounter promises to be a crucial fixture, underscoring the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs as the season unfolds.