Unai Emery does the unthinkable and leaves shock player out of FA squad in crucial match ce Newcastle and fans think it’s personal

Controversy Erupts at Aston Villa: Unai Emery Leaves Out Crucial Midfielder Amadou Onana for FA Cup Clash vs Newcastle – Fans Cry Foul and Demand Answers

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has sparked outrage among supporters by omitting star midfielder Amadou Onana from the squad for tonight’s Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie against Newcastle United at Villa Park (kick-off 17:45 GMT, February 14, 2026). The Belgian powerhouse, signed for £50 million from Everton in the summer of 2024, has become a vital presence in Villa’s engine room, bringing physicality, ball-winning tenacity, and occasional goal threat to a side battling on multiple fronts.

With midfield options severely limited—Boubacar Kamara sidelined for the season with a knee injury, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans also out—Onana’s exclusion has left many questioning Emery’s strategy. In his pre-match press conference, Emery praised Onana’s “consistency” and highlighted the contributions of Ross Barkley and Douglas Luiz (a recent loan returnee), insisting the club has “enough players” to cope amid injuries and a grueling schedule including Premier League and Champions League duties. He emphasized rotation and versatility, pointing to options like Morgan Rogers and others to fill the gaps, but offered no direct explanation for leaving Onana out entirely rather than managing his minutes.

Fans, however, are convinced this decision feels personal. Social media has exploded with frustration, as Onana has been a near-ever-present when fit, often anchoring the midfield and providing defensive cover. Recent reports note Emery’s past comments on managing Onana’s fitness due to recurring small injuries (including hamstrings), but supporters argue benching him now—against a dangerous Newcastle side missing Bruno Guimarães through hamstring trouble—smacks of something deeper. Viral posts on X include: “Onana’s our midfield rock—why drop him for Newcastle? This isn’t tactical, it’s personal. Emery, explain yourself! #AVFC #OnanaSnubbed” and “Emery hails his ‘consistency’ one day, benches him the next? Fans aren’t stupid. #ExplainEmery #UTV.” Hashtags like #FreeOnana and #EmeryOut are trending among Villa faithful, with forums speculating about dressing-room tensions or rotation gone too far.

Predicted lineups suggest Villa could deploy a makeshift midfield with Douglas Luiz and perhaps Ross Barkley or Morgan Rogers, while Newcastle’s Eddie Howe fields a strong attack despite their own absences. Villa, eyeing their first FA Cup win since 1957 and pushing for silverware, risk vulnerability without Onana’s imposing presence.

Emery remains steadfast: “We trust our group to adapt and compete.” As the game approaches, the spotlight intensifies—will this bold call pay off, or will it fuel growing discontent and calls for transparency from the boss?