Martin Keown has not been impressed with Aston Villa’s summer transfer business.
After finishing fourth in last season’s Premier League, the Villains will spend this campaign competing with Europe’s best in the Champions League.
However, given the magnitude of the task facing Unai Emery, Keown believes the club have not made the signings to match.
Villa’s need to bring in quality was amplified by Douglas Luiz’s decision to join Juventus. The Brazilian moved to Turin in a deal that allowed winger Samuel Iling-Junior and midfielder Enzo Barrenechea to move the other way. The pair make up two of eight first-team signings.
Martin Keown not impressed with one Aston Villa signing
Along with Ian Maatsen joining from Chelsea and Ross Barkley leaving Championship side Luton Town, Amadou Onana has been Emery’s biggest signing this summer. The Belgium international joined from Everton earlier in the window in a deal worth a reported £50 million.
Keown thinks the 22-year-old ex-Toffee is a considerable ‘downgrade’ on the recently departed Luiz though.
“Aston Villa are another club going through change as they embrace a Champions League season,” he told the Daily Mail.
“It’s bonkers to have sold Douglas Luiz. Amadou Onana (he cost £50 million!) is a downgrade.”
Villa’s Premier League season is set to kick off against West Ham United. The pair will meet at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon with Onana among those expected to start.
It took Onana 4 minutes to get his first Villa goal, he had a solid performance at West Ham. Enough said.
You can’t judge him from playing in a poor Everton side. Give him a season with Unai, then make your judgment after that, then I’ll accept it Martin!
For a downgrade he played very well today 🤔
He was s shining light in that poor Everton team. Has all the attributes of a top DM. Unai will help him shift up a gear and aid his development. If not for the Mersey river he would be perfect for Liverpool