Unai Emery Signs New Five-year Contract At Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery, has agreed to a new five-year contract, as announced by the Premier League club on Monday.

Following his success in leading the Birmingham club to a fourth-placed finish and Champions League qualification last season, the Spaniard has been rewarded with a new contract.

Since his arrival in October 2022, Unai Emery has turned around Villa’s fortunes, with the team just three points above the relegation zone.

“I am very happy to take this step (signing a new contract) and the responsibility of leading this club,” Emery told Villa’s website.

“Since I came to Villa with (co-owner) Wes (Edens) and (chairman) Nassef (Sawiris) we found always the best environment and structure to develop a project with the highest ambition. There’s a great chemistry in Aston Villa and the element of the fans’ support also makes the difference to feel at home. We are excited to continue this journey with no limits to our dreams.” He added.

Villa chairman Sawiris added: “We are building something special here at Aston Villa with Unai at its core and we are delighted that he has signed a new deal with the club until 2029. As we move into our historic, 150th anniversary year, there is a lot to look forward to with Unai at the helm.”

Having won the Europa League four times during his stints with Spanish clubs Sevilla and Villarreal, Emery also claimed the Ligue 1 trophy while at Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, he managed Arsenal during the 2018-19 season.

After guiding Villa, the winners of the 1982 European Cup, to a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League in 2023, he has successfully led them back to European club football’s elite competition following an absence of over 40 years.

Ross Barkley is on the verge of becoming one of Villa’s first signings this summer, as the midfielder is nearing a move from relegated Luton. Having spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Villa Park from Chelsea, where he made 24 appearances, the 30-year-old is now set to make a permanent return to the club for a modest fee.