Ezri Konsa and Amadou Onana Mock John Obi Mikel’s ‘Mate’ Catchphrase After Aston Villa’s Europa League Title Win

A lighthearted moment involving two Aston Villa players has gained traction online after the club secured the UEFA Europa League title against SC Freiburg, with Ezri Konsa and Amadou Onana filmed imitating the signature “mate” catchphrase associated with former Nigerian international John Obi Mikel.

The video, which has circulated widely across social media, shows the two defenders mimicking the expression that has become closely associated with Mikel’s weekly football analysis show, the “Obi One Podcast.” The clip emerged in the aftermath of Aston Villa’s historic continental triumph, which delivered the club their first major trophy in approximately two decades.

The victory also represented a landmark achievement for Villa manager Unai Emery, who secured his fifth UEFA Europa League title with the result — a record that positions the Spaniard as the most decorated coach in the competition’s history.

Mikel, a decorated midfielder who won both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League during his playing career, has been a prominent voice on football matters through his podcast in recent months. His comments about his former club Chelsea have drawn particular attention, specifically his public endorsement of Xabi Alonso as a potential managerial appointment at Stamford Bridge.

“I think he’s a brilliant, young and talented manager,” Mikel stated on the podcast. “We saw what he did with Leverkusen, where they went unbeaten and to break that jinx of Bayern winning the league yearly is something.”

The former Super Eagles captain also pointed to Alonso’s attacking philosophy as a central reason for his suitability to take charge at Chelsea. “He loves to play on the front foot, loves to attack and loves to press. That’s what we want, because we have the talent, we have the potential, and I hope he can bring that out of these players,” Mikel explained.

“He’ll come in straight away and command respect because he’s been there and done it. That’s what we need,” he added.

It was those widely circulated remarks, and the repeated use of the word “mate” throughout the podcast, that Konsa and Onana were seen playfully referencing in the post-match video. The expression has since become a recognisable verbal signature of the show.

Onana, Aston Villa’s record signing, has been a key figure in the club’s European campaign this season, while Konsa has been a consistent presence in the Villa defence under Emery’s management. The duo’s apparent familiarity with Mikel’s media output reflects the growing influence of player-led football podcasts within the sport.

Mikel represented Nigeria as captain of the Super Eagles and spent the majority of his club career at Chelsea, where he made over 370 appearances between 2006 and 2017. He has since established himself as a credible football commentator through his podcast platform.

Aston Villa’s Europa League success adds to a period of sustained progress at Villa Park under Emery, who joined the club in late 2022. The triumph is expected to secure the club’s entry into the UEFA Champions League for the following season, further underlining their re-emergence as a significant force in English and European football.