Emery is a special guy, and tactical freak

MARQUEE BUY ONANA SINGS UNAI'S PRAISES

- Neil Moxley

AMADOU ONANA signed for Aston Villa because of manager Unai Emery.

And Onana will do whatever it takes to sink his old club Everton tonight.

Although the chapter on his Goodison Park career is closed, he cannot quite shake the experience out of his system.

The imposing Belgium midfielder believes he "grew as a man" at Everton.

Onana arrived with little top-flight football on his CV but departed with the club having left a deep imprint.

Not least the last game of the 2022-23 season when Abdoulaye second-half Doucoure's goal earned them a final-day reprieve amid chaotic scenes.

Onana said: "It is always special to play against lads you know.

"I learned a lot at Everton - I grew up there as a man and a player.