Liam Duckstein
Aston Villa’s Triumphant Shift Under Emery
On 6 November 2022, Villa Park erupted as Aston Villa secured a historic victory over Manchester United, their first home win against the Red Devils since 1995. This triumph marked the debut of new head coach Unai Emery, who had only just cleared the bureaucratic hurdles delaying his appointment.
The club had seen fleeting moments of joy but nothing akin to this. It felt as though the sleeping giant of Aston Villa had finally awakened from its long slumber.
In the dressing room, the atmosphere was electric—handshakes, hugs, singing, and dancing. Yet, amidst the celebrations, Emery remained measured. The victory, though sweet, was not the football he envisioned. The chaotic, end-to-end game was a far cry from the controlled, patient, and deliberate style he aimed to implement.
Emery’s challenge was clear: persuade everyone at the club—players, owners, directors, and fans—that his vision was the right path. Three years later, he remains at the helm, having turned the tide.
A Manager Forged in Adversity
Emery’s journey to Aston Villa is one of resilience. A knee injury in 2004 cut short his playing career, but it paved the way for his managerial ascent. He quickly made his mark, winning promotions and leading clubs like Valencia and Sevilla to European glory. His tenure at Paris Saint-Germain set records that stand to this day.
Despite a brief stint at Arsenal that ended in dismissal, Emery rebounded spectacularly at Villarreal, guiding them to a historic Europa League victory. His reputation was further cemented when he led the club to the Champions League semi-finals.
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The Villa Project
When Aston Villa approached Emery, they found a manager with a clear vision. He insisted on building a structure around him that understood and executed his philosophy. His first call was to Damian Vidagany, a trusted confidant who joined him without hesitation.
Emery’s first meeting with the squad was blunt: “I’m not happy. I’m sad because a colleague of mine, Steven Gerrard, has been sacked. He was not the only one responsible for what went wrong here. You are responsible. You and everyone in the club. We cannot always put the blame on the coach. And something else. I didn’t come here to waste my time. I’ve come here to win things.”
Training sessions revealed ingrained habits—aimless crosses, rushed shots. Emery’s 24/7 approach was not just about tactics; it was about changing the way they thought about football. Senior players like Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, and Lucas Digne embraced the change, and their enthusiasm became contagious.
“We’ve gone from black and white football to full colour,” a statement heard in the first-team canteen, encapsulated the transformation under Emery’s leadership.