As Samuel Chukwueze looped the ball over Manuel Neuer at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening, Newcastle United must have been the furthest thing from Unai Emery's mind.
The Spaniard, renowned as *the* Europa League specialist, rejoiced on the touchline as his Villarreal side made it to the Champions League semi-final at the expense of Bayern Munich. Less than six months ago it was a different story, with Emery pondering a return to England to plot a relegation escape route, rather than a European masterplan.
"When Newcastle called me, I thought a lot about the opportunity to return to England, to a serious project. For me, it was a source of pride, satisfaction and I appreciated it," he admitted recently.
