Premier League
Unai Emery Extends His Contract With Aston Villa
Unai Emery has solidified his commitment to Aston Villa by extending his contract as head coach until 2027. This decision comes at a pivotal moment for the club, as they are on the point of securing Champions League qualification and have made significant steps under Emery.
The Spaniard with a rich history of success in European competition, joined Villa in October 2022 amidst a challenging season where the club was fighting relegation. Since then, he has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, guiding Villa to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League and securing their first participation in European football since 2010–11.
The impact of Emery’s leadership is undeniable, with Villa currently sitting in fourth place in the Premier League, fighting for Champions League qualification. His brilliant tactics and ability to transform players like Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins into key performers have been instrumental in Villa’s success on the pitch.
Emery’s track record in European competitions, including winning the Europa League multiple times with Sevilla and Villarreal, has brought a new level of ambition and expectation to Villa. The club’s owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, see Emery as a pivotal figure in their quest to establish Villa as a force in English and European football.
Since his appointment, he has gathered 115 points in the Premier League, a total surpassed only by Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Emery boasts the highest points-per-game record of any Aston Villa manager in the Premier League era, with an average of 1.95 points per game. He has secured 35 victories out of 59 matches, equating to a win percentage of 59%. In their remaining four league games this season, Villa will face off against Chelsea, Brighton, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace as they strive to qualify for Europe’s top competition for the first time since the 1982-83 season.
Villa’s upcoming Europa Conference League semi-final clash against Olympiakos presents a significant opportunity for the club to reach a major final and potentially secure their first piece of silverware since the 1996 League Cup.
