Qudus SalihuWhile Ollie Watkins grabbed the headlines with his clinical double at Stamford Bridge, Unai Emery used his post-match press conference to single out another hero. Following Aston Villa’s 2-1 comeback win over Chelsea on December 27, 2025, Emery made a bold claim: the arrival of Amadou Onana didn’t just win the game—it “changed the lives” of everyone in the squad.
Trailing 1-0 and being systematically outplayed by Enzo Maresca’s side, Emery pulled the trigger on a triple substitution in the 58th minute. While Watkins provided the goals and Jadon Sancho the flair, it was Onana’s physical dominance and tactical discipline that stabilized a drowning Villa midfield.
Emery was unusually emotive when discussing the Belgian international’s impact:
”People see the goals, but Amadou changed our lives today. He saved the team. We were losing the duels, we were losing the space, and he stepped onto the pitch and demanded the ball. He gave us the platform to be brave. Without his sacrifice in the middle, those goals from Ollie never happen.”
Onana, often described as the “engine room” of this Villa side, has frequently flown under the radar compared to the team’s flashier attackers. However, his performance against Chelsea was a masterclass in “underrated” brilliance. He won 100% of his aerial duels and completed every forward pass during his 32 minutes on the pitch, effectively shutting down Cole Palmer and allowing Villa to transition from defense to attack with lethal speed.
For Emery, this wasn’t just about three points; it was a validation of his recruitment strategy. By calling Onana a “life-changer,” Emery highlighted the shift in Villa’s mentality. They are no longer a team that simply hangs on; they are a team that uses its bench to impose their will on the “Big Six.”
As Villa moves within three points of the top of the table, the message from the manager is clear: Watkins might be the sword, but Onana is the shield that makes the revolution possible.
Rabiu Aminu
Qudus Salihu
