Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager, discusses his resurgence in the Premier League. Topics include Villa's attacking prowess, player development under Emery, and his ambitions for success. The podcast also explores Emery's time at Arsenal and the public perception of managers.
Unai Emery's demanding management style and emphasis on collective effort have propelled Aston Villa's stunning turnaround and made them title contenders.
Aston Villa's investment in modernizing the club, focusing on player care, data analysis, and tactical preparation, has played a crucial role in Unai Emery's success as a manager.
Deep dives
Unai Emery turns Aston Villa into a Premier League powerhouse
Under the leadership of Unai Emery, Aston Villa has experienced a remarkable turnaround and is now within reach of the top of the Premier League. Emery's demanding and intense management style has pushed the players to new heights, resulting in 11 consecutive home wins and a strong attacking potency. The team's collective effort and shared responsibility have created a cohesive unit where every player contributes. This shift away from relying on one standout player has been key to their success. Villa has defied expectations and transformed from relegation candidates to title contenders in just a year.
The transformation of Aston Villa under Unai Emery
Unai Emery's success at Aston Villa can be attributed to his coaching methods and the infrastructure that the club has built around him. Villa has invested heavily in modernizing the club, strengthening various departments such as player care, data analysis, and recruitment. Emery's meticulous focus on tactical preparation and extensive use of video analysis have helped the team thrive. The players have bought into his demanding approach and the results speak for themselves, with Villa currently sitting just two points off the top of the table. The club's ambition under Emery extends beyond just winning trophies, with Champions League qualification as the ultimate goal.
Unai Emery's journey from Arsenal to Aston Villa
Unai Emery's time at Arsenal was marred by communication issues and the daunting task of following in the footsteps of Arsene Wenger. However, his coaching style and demanding approach were better suited for teams on the rise, like Aston Villa. Emery's success at clubs of similar stature, such as Valencia and Sevilla, showcased his ability to lead ambitious projects. While his tenure at Arsenal and PSG may not have lived up to expectations, his impact at Villa demonstrates his true capabilities as a manager.
The future prospects for Unai Emery and Aston Villa
Unai Emery's success at Aston Villa has generated excitement and optimism for the future. While there are potential financial fair play challenges, the club has shown a commitment to backing Emery and building the necessary infrastructure for sustained success. Villa's investments in players and departments such as video analysis and player development have set them up for continued progress. Emery's long-term dream of winning the Champions League may not be realized at Villa, but his impact could pave the way for future accomplishments and an enduring legacy at the club.
On the eve of his first anniversary as Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery has Villa within striking distance of the top of the Premier League.
Having returned to English football last season, following an ill-fated 18 month spell at Arsenal, Michael Bailey is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Gregg Evans to analyse the Spaniard's resurgence in the West Midlands.
Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell shares his take on Villa's start to the season, their best season 1998/99, while Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas reviews his time in North London before assessing how he feels seeing Emery thrive at Villa Park.
Produced by Guy Clarke
Additional Production: Mike Stavrou
Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides
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