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.
