Premier League star's actions with fans are much-needed reminder of what game is really about

View 3 Images

There is one player guaranteed to produce a bit of much-needed feel good factor. Amadou Onana has a remarkable connection with the Aston Villa fans.

Of course Villa fans will know this already but it is worth highlighting as a reminder of just how good a love affair between supporters and players can be.

Onana scored a cracking goal for Villa against Bournemouth on Sunday and the TV cameras immediately panned away from his celebrations. I felt compelled to go and find a different clip and then some still pictures of Onana after his shot flew into the net. It genuinely gave me a buzz.

Sure enough, there he was with his arms raised, over to the Villa fans as they enjoyed another special moment together.

You might have seen other occasions when Onana celebrates a big win as he pushes out his arms in front of him, the crowd begin a roar and there he is almost conducting proceedings.

There must be a few other Premier League stars who do similar. Every set of supporters have probably got a favourite player, chant or celebration. But I’m genuinely struggling to think of any player who does it better than Onana.

This is not the most gifted, technical player in the Villa squad. He cost £50m and I’m sure he’s on big wages. He is probably not even a guaranteed starter. Some fans might even think he’s not all that.

But he’s clearly super intelligent, he’s a real force on the pitch and a powerhouse in midfield. His driving runs, that low shot to score a screamer against Bournemouth highlights that he is a good all round midfielder.

View 3 Images

I don’t know him at all. I’ve only ever heard him speak. And he comes across brilliantly, by the way. I love his smile and the way he plays with passion and soul.

There is also an understanding what it means to be a player for a big club like Villa. An appreciation of the fans and knowing that everything is about them and their energy. That is what makes Amadou Onana so special.

And it’s worth remembering not everyone “gets” fans.

I heard ex-pros picking apart Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence shrugging off Thomas Frank when the Spurs boss tried to get them to go over to the Tottenham supporters after they lost to Chelsea. It wasn’t the right moment. We don’t know the context or what might have happened at half time, they said.

What utter nonsense from ex-players who have clearly never understood what it feels like to follow your team home and away, to spend all your money on supporting them. You think about little else!

View 3 Images

Spurs fans clearly love van de Ven. And rightly so. We can’t all be perfect all of the time. And, bizarrely, I was way more narked with the ex-pros insisting the Spurs players had done nothing wrong rather than the players themselves. The players apologised to their manager afterwards.

I’m sure even Onana has off days. But that connection with the fans is what football is all about.

Even in the mega money era of the Premier League when players seem further away than ever. He is just a wonderful shining beacon of wonderfulness.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.