Amadou Onana is happy to accept leadership responsibilities for Belgium's upcoming Nations League fixtures, but called for patience with the Red Devils' current crop of players.
Onana has become an integral part of Belgium's midfield since making his debut in June 2022, appearing a further 19 times, including at Euro 2024 earlier this year.
The 23-year-old has also impressed since his arrival at Villa Park from Everton in July, starting 12 of his 14 outings in all competitions for Unai Emery's side.
Onana has registered the most interceptions (16) for the Villans in the Premier League this season, while only Youri Tielemans has won more tackles (18) than the Belgian midfielder (15) in the top-flight.
But his importance has now transferred to the international stage, and with two must-win Nations League encounters on the horizon, Onana is happy to lead his side from the front.
"Many players see me as a leader and I have to show that on the pitch. That won't change," Onana said.
"The coach expects the same from me. I have a good understanding with him."
Onana's influence on the national side has increased in recent months, as the Red Devils aim to emulate the 'Golden Generation' that impressed at major tournaments.
Kevin De Bruyne has taken over as the captain of the team but has since asked for time off from the national team due to managing his workload.
Domenico Tedesco, however, has recalled Romelu Lukaku to his latest squad, with the Napoli striker missing Belgium's opening four games of the Nations League.
Along with De Bruyne, Lukaku played a huge role in Belgium's rise on the international stage, becoming the nation's all-time record goalscorer in the process.
Belgium, however, fell at the round of 16 stage at Euro 2024 against France in another disappointing major tournament campaign, though Onana said supporters should give the new-looking side time to gel.
"We cannot be compared, it is a different era. We have to be given time to make our mark," said Onana. "Personally, I think there should be a bit more patience.
"Everyone is talking about that golden generation, but success in 2018 was not created in 2018, but rather long before that, in 2010.
"Do you understand? We also need time to make our mark.
"I think you cannot compare these youngsters with the stars of that time. There are a lot of young boys coming in. That's good for Belgian football. We can be quite satisfied."
Belgium know defeat to Italy on Thursday will end their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Nations League, with the Red Devils currently on four points in Group A2, five points behind second-placed France.
West Ham confirms Antonio in stable condition following motor vehicle accident
West Ham United have confirmed that Reggae Boyz striker Michail Antonio is in stable condition following a road traffic accident on Saturday.
“Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London Hospital,” the Premier League club communicated on X Saturday afternoon.
The news of Antonio’s accident earlier today sparked concern among fans and the footballing community, with many offering their own messages of support for the player, who has been a key figure for both club and country.
“At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family,” the statement added.
The club will issue no further comments today but will issue a further update soon.
Bruno Guimaraes wants Newcastle to put defence first after Brentford loss
Newcastle's winless run stretched to four Premier League games as Eddie Howe's side lost 4-2 away at Brentford on Saturday.
As the hosts maintained their unbeaten home record in league action this season, the full-time whistle drew frustration and more questions for the Magpies, who failed to break the Bees down in the closing stages.
A chaotic first half saw four goals fly in at a windy Gtech Community Stadium, as Newcastle twice came from behind, via Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes before the break.
Their defensive fragility, however, was punished after the restart, as Nathan Collins prodded home, as the visitors defence failed to deal with a punted free kick into their penalty area from Mark Flekken.
As Howe's charges pushed for a third equaliser late on, their ragged back line was exposed again, as Kevin Schade raced through to slot home a clinching goal.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes offered no excuses at full time as the Brazil international struggled to explain why his team are struggling against direct attacks this season.
"It's very disappointing. In the first half we had some good moments, but after the third goal we lost our way, we lost control," he told PLP, via BBC Sport.
"We have always been reactive, we need to concede a goal to score one ourselves. We never score first, we concede a lot of goals, this cannot happen. We have to find a way to be consistent.
"After we conceded the third goal, we became a mess, gave the ball away a lot, and we were punished. We have to turn things around. Last season we had one of the best defences in the league, now we concede a lot. It's about the whole team, we have to find a way not to concede."
Guimaraes' frustration is backed up by some concerning recent defensive numbers for Newcastle, with no clean sheet in their last five league games, and 11 goals conceded.
However, the doom and gloom for Newcastle was in sharp contrast to a buoyant Thomas Frank, who saw his side record a fifth successive home Premier League win.
The Danish boss hailed the resilience of his players, and singled out goalscorers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa for praise, as the duo moved onto nine Premier League goals each in 2024/25.
"I'm very happy, it was a great performance in many ways. The way we performed today physically, and with quality against a very good Newcastle side, I'm very proud of my players.
"Wissa, the way he links up and goes forward, and gets behind the back line for tap ins. Bryan Mbeumo today was unplayable. The way he holds the ball up and links play, as he did to Kevin Schade [for the fourth goal] was very impressive."
Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester City: Lewis equaliser rescues a point for Guardiola's side
Crystal Palace and Manchester City shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
It was a result that extended the reigning champions’ winless away run to four league matches, while they have now won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions.
Palace caused Pep Guardiola’s side plenty of problems and merited a point that continues their recent upturn in form.
Daniel Munoz gave the hosts the lead inside four minutes, slotting past City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from a Will Hughes pass.
But Erling Haaland ended a three-game Premier League goal drought and equalised for the visitors with a header after 31 minutes.
The two sides also shared a goal apiece in the second half, with Maxence Lacroix and Rico Lewis both hitting the target.
Lewis, meanwhile, was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 84th minute, just when City had finally wrestled control of the game.
But neither side were able to find a winner and following the draw, City remain fourth in the Premier League and eight points behind leaders Liverpool. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, climbed a place to 16th and are four points above the bottom three.
Data Debrief: City's away jitters continue
City went into the game having lost their last five games on the road in all competitions, and their poor away form did not improve after dropping two more points at Selhurst Park.
Guardiola's side have also conceded twice in each of their last four away fixtures. The visitors generated an xG of 1.41 from 12 attempts, which is only slightly better than the xG of 1.3 that Palace had from the same number of attempts.
Though Guardiola's side had four shots on target, one more than the hosts, they failed to find a winner and settled for the point.
Palace, meanwhile, are undefeated in their last four games in the Premier League.
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