Aston Villa news: Opinion – Onana’s contributions needs to justify price tag

There is a train of thought from some supporters to justify ever-increasing ticket prices: if fans want big-name signings, they should expect to pay more for tickets.

The argument overlooks the fact that any increase in ticket prices only makes a minor contribution to the club’s revenue compared with sponsorships and Premier League and Champions League broadcasting deals.

Also, in terms of Aston Villa, Amadou Onana certainly questions such simplistic logic.

Last summer, Onana arrived from Everton as Villa’s marquee signing, with a price tag of £50m. The plan was clear: at 6ft 5in, he would boost the physical profile of the team, bolster the side’s spine and form a formidable defensive midfield partnership with Boubacar Kamara in the Champions League, allowing Villa to potentially stifle the competition’s elite.

Yet, as we approach the business end of the season, that vision feels more theory than reality.

Onana has started just 14 of 29 Premier League games and three of 10 Champions League games.

After a promising start, injuries have significantly limited his influence. When he has played, he has often looked surprisingly lightweight for someone of his stature – erratic in the tackle and too easily bypassed.

He is now back from injury but will be shy of game time going into Villa’s upcoming two-legged tussle with Paris St-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.

So far, his most memorable contributions have been his post-match, animated crowd celebrations and light-hearted, wannabe fashionista social media commentary.

But charisma alone does not win trophies or represent a good investment of supporters’ money.

Villa are not here to make up the numbers. Unai Emery is serious about competing on the biggest stages and the club’s big-money signings certainly need to deliver.

If Onana does not help Villa meet their goals in the closing stages of this season, then the club will have some serious questions to answer – not least to fans being asked to pay more under the guise of ambition.

Do you agree with David that Onana needs to offer more over the rest of this season? Or is their another player who needs to step up more? Let us know here

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said