After being sacked by Arsenal five years ago, many didn’t expect much when Unai Emery joined Aston Villa in 2022.
But two years down the road, the Spaniard’s fortunes have changed, and he recently signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Midlands club until 2027.
In his first season, Emery led Villa to seventh in the English Premier League – the club’s highest finish since 2010 – and a place in Europe. It was a remarkable turnaround, as Villa was just outside the relegation zone on goal difference when he took over in November 2022.
This season, Villa, European champion in 1982, is fourth with three matches to play and favourite to qualify for next season’s Champions League. It is also in the semifinals of the Europa Conference League.
In the first leg of the semifinals, Olympiacos won 4-2, but many believe Emery can turn things around and lead Villa to its first European final since 1982, given his experience of winning the Europa League four times with Sevilla (2014, 2015, 2016) and Villarreal (2021).
Given the change of mood within the club, there are shouts that Emery should be the favourite to land the EPL’s Manager of the Year gong ahead of Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
That is a big shout, given that Guardiola can create history by becoming the first manager to win the EPL four seasons in a row and the first to win the double for the second consecutive season as City is also in the FA Cup final.
Arteta, meanwhile, is hoping to lead Arsenal to its first league title in 20 years.
While there is no doubt about both Spaniards’ credentials, their countryman Emery has worked wonders in transforming Villa from a perennial underachiever.
Should Villa hang on to fourth place, it will play in next season’s Champions League, the rebranded European Cup competition the club won in 1982. The last time it was in the elite competition was the 1982-83 season as the defending champion.
A Villa team itching for its moment to shine has embraced Emery’s meticulous approach with open arms, with striker Olli Watkins benefitting the most as he has scored 19 league goals this season, one away from the club record held by the legendary Peter Withe, who set it in the 1980-1981 title-winning season.
Since Emery’s arrival as Villa boss 18 months ago, the English striker has found a new level, scoring 32 league goals, seven shy of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. The statistic is even more remarkable as none of Watkins’ goals are penalties.
He also has 10 assists in the league and is set to play for England at this year’s European Championship.
But Watkins is not the only player to benefit from Emery’s touch, as Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz, and two summer signings Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi, have played pivotal roles this season.
Villa is on the rise, and Emery could be The Villans’ hero.
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Arsenal vs Bournemouth (7.30pm)
Brentford vs Fulham (10pm)
Burnley vs Newcastle (10pm)
Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest (10pm)
SUNDAY
Manchester City vs Wolves (12.30am)
Chelsea vs West Ham (9pm)
Brighton vs Aston Villa (8pm)
Liverpool vs Tottenham (11.30pm)
TUESDAY
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United (3am)
Main image by Aston Villa