Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Unai Emery as the club’s new head coach, following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.
The former Arsenal boss returns to the Premier League after rebuilding his reputation with success at Villarreal, clinching Europa League glory in 2021 and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.
A three-year contract, plus another year’s option, is believed to be on the table. He will officially start next week when he receives his work permit, so his first match will be the visit of Manchester United on Sunday week.
Villa, who stopped the rot with a 4-0 thrashing of Brentford on Sunday under first team coach Aaron Danks, confirmed the Spaniard will take his position on November 1 and will therefore not be in the dugout for Saturday’s trip to face Newcastle United.
It means Emery’s first task will be back-to-back tests against Manchester United, hosting Erik ten Hag’s side in the Premier League on November 6 before travelling to Old Trafford four days later in the EFL Cup.
Emery will then lead Villa into a Premier League clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, the final game before the season pauses for the World Cup in Qatar.
Villa have triggered the £5.2 million compensation required to prise Emery away from Villarreal and bring him back to the Premier League as Steven Gerrard’s successor after talks accelerated on Monday.
I think it’s a step in the right direction