Unai Emery will take on Newcastle United for the first-time as Aston Villa boss 17 months after turning them down. The Villa boss, then in charge of Villareal and going well in the Champions League, opted to stay at the La Liga side out respect for the owners and how well the Yellow Submarine were going in Europe.
However, 11 months later, Emery left the Spanish side to take over struggling Villa, succeeding Steven Gerrard in the dugout at Villa Park. It was a move that shocked Newcastle supporters, given their new found wealth following the recent takeover.
However, with Eddie Howe taking the Magpies to lofty new heights, Emery's decision to turn down a move to St. James' Park is not one that supporters of a black and white contingent bare any grudges over. The Newcastle head coach has reaffirmed talk of him being the best English manager in the top flight, having seen that reputation take a hit following relegation with Bournemouth.
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But, like Howe, Emery is working similar magic at Villa Park. The Spaniard has steered the Villains away from the relegation zone and his side are pushing towards European football.
Chronicle Live spoke with Aston Villa reporter for Birmingham Live, John Townley, for an insight into how Unai Emery has fared at Villa Park.
What was the general consensus like at Villa Park when Unai Emery arrived?
JT: "There was a really positive feeling amongst the Villa fanbase when Emery was appointed. He belongs in the same category as many of the best managers across Europe and his CV proves that he can help Villa get to where they want to be in the coming years.
"He is probably as good a manager as Villa could have appointed, having also admired Mauricio Pochettino after sacking Seven Gerrard."
Why do you think Emery made the move to Villa having turned down Newcastle 12 months prior?
JT: "The timing was certainly better for him. He was in the Champions League with Villarreal at the time of Newcastle’s approach and he didn’t want to leave that project so soon after first joining the Spanish club.
"Although he left only a year later and during the middle of this season, Villarreal were playing in the Conference League and Emery probably thought this was a better opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League, given that there was uncertainty about how Newcastle were going to launch their assault on the top six.
"Emery wouldn’t want to have been used as a stepping stone if success didn’t come right away at Newcastle, whereas at Villa, he has full control over the club’s destiny."
Aston Villa are enjoying quite the run of form, what do you put that down to?
JT: "Emery has communicated a very clear system to his players, and with results comes lots of confidence. Villa have conceded just one goal from open play in their last seven matches and are set up to win games with the likes of Ollie Watkins and John McGinn in top form.
"Villa’s recent run of form is down to a solid defence and players being allowed to express themselves in the final third."
Diego Carlos is another that was linked with Newcastle, how did he fare before picking up his injury?
JT: "He has only made two appearances due to his long-term injury, but he impressed over the summer during pre-season. He’ll take little time to adapt to what Emery wants him to do in and out of possession, but it is too early to tell whether or not his Achilles injury has had a lasting impact on his career.
"He will find it hard to dislodge either Mings or Konsa given Villa’s strong defensive record, but he’s a top player and Emery will give him the opportunity to come back into the XI before the season is out."
Ollie Watkins is also in a good run of form, what do you put that down to and what sort of role is he playing for Villa?
JT: "He’s been asked to play the role of a poacher in this Villa team. Emery doesn’t want him to be involved in build-up, or to use up his energy chasing lost causes.
"Watkins has completed fewer sprints, off-ball runs and has made fewer touches per game under Emery than under Gerrard. The system Emery has deployed is getting the very best out of the striker and it is showing no signs of letting up.
"He’s not just in a purple patch - they don’t tend to last more than four months. He’s score nine goals in 11 games and broken plenty of club records under Emery."
Has Emery said anything of note on Newcastle so far this season?
JT: "He hasn’t said anything of note regarding Newcastle, but no doubt he’ll show full respect to the outstanding job Eddie Howe has performed this season. Newcastle are enjoying a top season and Emery will reflect that during his press conference on Friday."
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