Start to life at Villa, improvements and charity work - What Amadou Onana said before Club Brugge clash

Amadou Onana sat down with the media at the Jan Breydel Stadium ahead of Aston Villa's fourth Champions League league phase clash against Club Brugge.

The Belgian international could play his first professional club match in his homeland on Wednesday night, which would be his 12th appearance in the Champions League. Here's every word Onana said in the press conference...

What makes your relationship with Tielemans so strong?

"I think it comes from playing with Belgium. Youri is someone who has been in the game for a while and he knows aspects of the game I don’t, for example. I can learn a lot from him and we have a normal chemistry outside of the field, which you can see on the pitch as well. We are quite complimentary with each other. It makes it easier to put go out there and on a show and a performance."

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Your thoughts on your start at Villa and what has Emery added to your game?

"Unai has added a lot to his game. I think I am a completely different player if you compare it to last season at Everton. He has added bits to my game which I didn’t have before. I am really, really grateful and thankful for that.

"My start has been good, but it could have been better. I can still improve on different aspects and parts of the game. I am learning day by day. The manager is one of the best in the business. I am looking forward to continue working with him on a daily basis."

How special is this game for you?

"I didn’t get a chance to play here before but it is one of the biggest clubs in Belgium, historically speaking. It’s always nice to come back home and face these type of teams. This is what I call home, so it’s nice to come back to Belgium. I need to focus on my task and what I do for a living."

Will this be your first club game in Belgium?

"Yes, I’ve never played a professional game in Belgium. I moved here when I was 15 to Germany, then France and now England. Can’t wait for it."

How does it feel to play in Belgium, your homeland?

"I come back here to play for the Belgium national team, so it’s nothing different to that. I am excited, looking forward to it."

You’ve completed 51 of his 52 pass attempts while under high-intensity pressure in the Champions League this season. The best in the Champions League. How have you been able to do that?

"I didn’t even know that to be totally honest! It’s a great thing. It’s one part of my game I can still improve."

Are you surprised by how well you are doing in the Champions League?

"In this team we have top, top professionals, they know what it’s about to play on the highest possible level. The Champions League is a prestigious competition, but it is no different to any other big tournament.

"We’ve got a manager who's been at the highest level, won Europa Leagues and played at Champions League multiple times and knows what it takes to get us there. It’s a big plus to have him guiding him throughout the competition."

What do you know about Club Brugge?

"I know it's a very, very big club in Belgium and in Europe. We really have to respect them, they are offensively really good. I know several players that I have the chance to play with for Belgium, we have to respect them."

You haven't conceded in the Champions League, but have only kept one Premier League clean sheet...

"We have been defending better in the Champions League. It’s not a Champions League or a Premier League thing, I don’t think we focus more it just happens and that’s what it is. Offensively we have faced teams in the Premier League where it was bit more difficult. Bayern was a big one, but there was a home advantage. I don’t think there’s a difference in the Champions League."

Which areas do you think you can improve on?

"I think globally in my game, but I think more and more on the ball, with my physicality everyone knows I play with a lot of duels and intensity but on the ball I can definitely improve."

Can you talk about the charity you have made for the homeless in Brussels...

"It's my way of giving back, God has given me the chance to be in the position I’m in, it's my way of giving back. I grew up in Senegal, I was born there I know what it feels like to not have much and now I'm in this privileged position, it’s my turn to give back.

"It’s a centre where people can come and get a hot drink or fresh clothes and have a hot shower. It means a lot to me, after I retire I want to be remembered for more than just football, I want to make an impact, it means a lot to me."

Can you fund that more the better your career gets?

"Definitely the better I financially do the better I can provide for stuff like that. With Villa I have an academy in Senegal with my sister and Villa is trying to help to give football kits and equipment. It is a big thing for me, it means a lot.

"I can’t put a number on it but I’m just trying to impact as many lives as I can because that's what really matters to me."

What do you make of Onana's comments? Tell us here

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