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Unai Emery will be backed by Aston Villa in the January transfer window, with whom the club have spent nearly £500million since promotion three years ago… with the Spaniard ‘confident’ for his first game in the dugout against Man United
- Unai Emery was hired to replace Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa boss
- The Spaniard will be supported by the club in the January transfer window
- Villa is currently just one point above the relegation zone and in 16th place
- They take on Manchester United in the first game of Emery in charge on Sunday
Unai Emery will be supported in the January transfer market and Aston Villa will bring their spending close to £500 million since promotion.
Villa, who is owned by billionaires Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, has appointed the Spaniard to replace Steven Gerrard and he will take charge of his first game, against Manchester United at Villa Park.
Since the promotion in 2019, Villa has spent around £414 million on players, although they sold Jack Grealish to Manchester City for £100 million last year. But Emery will get cash if the market reopens with a winger high on the target list. Villar’s move to Watford’s Ismaila Sarr last summer was blocked by Gerrard, while Emery Arnaut is known to admire Danjuma and Nicolas Jackson at former club Villarreal.
Unai Emery will be supported by significant funds in the January transfer market, with Aston Villa bringing its spending close to £500million since promotion in 2019
Emery is back for a second try at English football after being sacked by Arsenal in November 2019, after spending 18 months in north London. One of his best nights as a coach was when his team from Villarreal defeated United on penalties in the 2021 Europa League final.
United have improved under Erik ten Hag and have an excellent track record at Villa Park, but Emery had a glint in his eye as he discussed the prospects of his new side.
“Friday morning we looked at the last games Aston Villa played against Manchester United and the results were so tight,” Emery said.
One of Emery’s best achievements as manager was winning the Europa League with Villareal
Villa CEO Christian Purslow (L) believes Emery’s appointment is a pivotal moment for the club
“The teams were close together. We have done the initial analysis of United and I am very confident. So are the players. It’s so important to play here at Villa Park with our supporters because I think we’re better with them.”
Emery is expected to operate from a basic 4-2-3-1 form, prioritizing defensive organization and speed in counterattack. The Villa hierarchy has long believed that this is the system that best suits their team.
The 51-year-old’s appointment was driven by Sawiris, and chief executive Christian Purslow believes this is ‘the most important moment and the most important step since we were promoted from the championship three and a half years ago’.
He added: “Unai will have the personal support of the owners to move the first team forward, and the crucial work of bringing in young talent.” With Villa starting just one point above the relegation zone into the weekend, it is vital that the new era gets off to a good start.