Unai Emery inherited an Aston Villa team hovering above the Premier League relegation zone in October 2022.
Four years later, Villa had qualified for Europe in every full season under him, finished in the Premier League’s top four twice, reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and won the Europa League. Emery had also recorded the highest win rate of any permanent manager in the club’s history.
His transformation of Villa has been tactical, cultural and institutional. The club are no longer trying to break into the Premier League’s leading group. They expect to compete within it.
From his arrival as Steven Gerrard’s replacement to European glory in Istanbul, this is Unai Emery’s complete Aston Villa timeline.
October 2022: Villa appoint Emery
Villa dismissed Gerrard on 20 October 2022 following a 3-0 defeat at Fulham.
The result left the club 17th in the Premier League with nine points from 11 matches. Villa had scored only seven league goals and were outside the relegation zone on goals scored.
Aaron Danks took temporary charge and oversaw a 4-0 victory against Brentford before Villa appointed Emery on 24 October.
The decision immediately raised expectations. Emery had won four Europa League titles across spells with Sevilla and Villarreal, managed Paris Saint-Germain and taken Villarreal to the 2021/22 Champions League semi-finals.
Villa paid approximately €6 million to activate the release clause in his Villarreal contract. He officially began work on 1 November.
November 2022: The perfect start
Emery’s first match came against Manchester United at Villa Park on 6 November.
Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne scored inside the opening 11 minutes before Jacob Ramsey completed a 3-1 victory. It was Villa’s first Premier League home win over United since August 1995.
Villa followed that performance by beating Brighton 2-1 away from home. Danny Ings scored twice as Emery collected six points from his first two league fixtures.
The early results demonstrated the immediate tactical change. Villa defended with a higher line, used the goalkeeper more confidently during build-up and attacked through…
..
