Aston Villa Latest News: Unai Emery has been able to transform Villa since his takeover, taking them to European football for the first time in ten years
Unai Emery has led Aston Villa to a remarkable transformation, resulting in the club qualifying for European football for the first time in over ten years. The Spanish manager is excited about the prospect of competing in the Conference League next season.
Despite initially being close to relegation when he took over from Steven Gerrard in late October, Villa secured seventh place in the Premier League by defeating Brighton 2-1 on Sunday.
The team’s success at Villa Park, where they have won their last seven games, has been crucial. Emery is also pleased with how the players have embraced his ideas.
“I am very proud. These players have really followed me for the last six months, it has been demanding and we are committed,” he said.
“We beat a very good team and to achieve the European place is the best possible end. We will be in Europe, which for me is very important. It has given me a lot, it is fantastic, another way and another trophy at the end.”
Emery, who has won four Europa League titles, three with Sevilla and one with Villarreal, is the ideal candidate to guide Villa into European competition for the first time in a decade.
Although his first attempt in English football with Arsenal in 2018/19 was unsuccessful, he was a finalist in the same competition.
“Europe adds more matches and more difficult moments but I like that. It is very important for us,” he said.
“Historically this is a great team. We won the European Cup a long time ago (1982), but we can now try to improve and get an ambitious step ahead. This is the first step in that.”
Villa achieved their best position in the Premier League since they finished sixth in the 2009-10 season, by securing seventh place.
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