Aston Villa's Rise Under Unai Emery

Aston Villa's Rise Under Unai Emery

Aston Villa's Rise Under Unai Emery

Just 11 weeks ago , Aston Villa found themselves winless and languishing in the third-bottom position of the Premier League.

Now, under the leadership of manager Unai Emery, they have surged to third place, with increasing speculation regarding their potential involvement in the title race.

Their dramatic 2-1 victory over league leaders Arsenal on Saturday showcased their credentials, marking Emery's 63rd win in the Premier League—the most in the club's history.

Emery boasts a win rate of 54.94% from his 162 matches, with only Arsenal and Manchester City accumulating more points this season, 71 to Villa's 67 from 34 games in 2025.

Looking ahead, Villa will face Basel in the Europa League on Thursday, where a win would nearly secure their place in the last 16, as they currently sit third in the group phase.

This turnaround follows a challenging start to the campaign, which saw them in the bottom three, eliminated from the Carabao Cup, and the last team in the Football League to score a goal.

In September, Monchi, Villa's president of football operations, departed, and Emery's summer spending was constrained by profit and sustainability rules, leading to questions about his managerial capabilities.

However, three months later, the focus has shifted to how seriously Villa can be considered in the title race.

What has Emery changed? The straightforward answer is not much.

While it may seem monotonous that the dedicated Spaniard has not drastically altered his methods to revitalize the team, this assessment is arguably the most accurate.

The 54-year-old has remained steadfast in his convictions, successfully navigating through the issues that plagued his team at the season's outset.

The club appeared stagnant, not only in terms of results. The remarkable progress under Emery over the past three years heightened expectations; the pressure to qualify for the Champions League and the desire for significant signings became palpable.

Villa transformed from Premier League strugglers in 2022 to Champions League quarter-finalists in less than two years under Emery, creating an atmosphere of exhaustion that resonated through the stands and onto the pitch.

The season began with a goalless draw against Newcastle and a lackluster 1-0 defeat at Brentford before Crystal Palace ended Villa's 12-month unbeaten home record.

Amidst speculation that goalkeeper Emi Martinez might join Manchester United—having been benched against Crystal Palace—he ultimately remained, and Villa made deadline-day signings of Jadon Sancho, Harvey Elliott, and Victor Lindelof, though their impact has yet to be significant.

The squad seemed to have started the season on a weaker note, having lost Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio after their loans and selling Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £40 million.

Despite the need for a summer refresh, Villa's spending was limited to striker Evann Guessand and goalkeeper Marco Bizot due to tight PSR restrictions.

Nevertheless, Emery has not faltered, even as Ollie Watkins struggled to find the net, scoring just once in his first 19 games.

Strengthening the squad in January is on the agenda, with teenage Brazilian winger Alysson nearing a transfer from Gremio.

Emery regards the training ground at Bodymoor Heath as a fortress, maintaining a high level of focus and limiting access to the inner sanctum.

When questioned privately about altering the team's tactics or approach, Emery has remained resolute.

Villa's training schedule has not lengthened, and Emery's comprehensive video analysis sessions have remained unchanged. Essentially, he has gathered everyone at Bodymoor and propelled them back to where they needed to be.

The former Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Sevilla manager has been characterized as a force of nature, embodying the intensity and ambition that Villa has not experienced before, ultimately driving the club forward.

The level of control Emery wields at Villa should not be underestimated—something he lacked during his tenures at Arsenal and PSG.

Following Monchi's departure, Emery played a significant role in selecting his replacement, Roberto Olabe, another Basque figure familiar from his time at Almeria, and he has placed trust in his staff, particularly director of football operations Damian Vidagany.

This situation contrasts with his time at Arsenal, where he succeeded Arsène Wenger in 2018 and lasted just 18 months—a casualty of circumstance following the departure of a successful French manager. At PSG, despite winning a domestic treble, his initial two-year contract was not renewed by the Qatari ownership.

How far could Emery have taken Arsenal if he had received the same backing as his successor Mikel Arteta?

Now, he sits three points behind his former club as he strives to help Villa qualify for the Champions League for a second time in three seasons and contend in the title race, despite his modest assertions.

"I am not thinking about it [the title]," he remarked after the impressive victory over Arsenal. "I know 38 matches are very challenging. We are not contenders."

Consistency Key to Emery's Plans

By adhering to his principles, Emery's beliefs have become evident. Villa has won nine of their last ten Premier League matches, with the only setback being a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, and they have secured 13 victories in their last 15 matches across all competitions.

However, their performances have not always been convincing, with a standout 4-0 victory over Bournemouth being the exception. This may serve as a warning to Arsenal and Manchester City—both of whom have been defeated during Villa's impressive run—that Emery's side has not yet reached its full potential.

In their last five league matches against Bournemouth, Leeds, Wolves, Brighton, and Arsenal, Villa has enjoyed less possession and fewer entries into the box compared to their winless opening five games.

Yet, with Emery's persistence, various statistics have improved. The most significant difference is the 8.8 expected goals (xG) in their recent five matches, compared to just 3.8 at the season's start.

There have been more shots (75 to 52), more big chances created (10 compared to six), and an increase in touches within the opposition's box and tackles made.

It took time for Villa to find their rhythm, but Emery has emerged as their greatest asset, steering the team forward with impressive results.

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