Dean Smith looks back on Unai Emery lessons ahead of Aston Villa's trip to Arsenal

The Villa boss has revealed how he chose to go and study Emery’s work during the Spaniards’ time in charge of Valencia while training for his pro licence.

“I remember Roy Keane was on our pro licence course and they went to study the All Blacks,” explained Smith.

“I didn’t have enough air miles for that, so Spain was a little more my style. I chose Valencia. There was a group of six or seven who went over there.

“Unai was head coach at Valencia and there was a group of us that went.

“I got to speak to him. He probably doesn’t remember it too much because they had a lot of people go there at the time.

“There always is, wherever you go. You are looking for an experience which helps you learn. There are different bits you pick up from everywhere. I have gone into other sports and picked up things from that, like anyone else would do.”

Smith has some sympathy for the task Emery has taken on in trying to re-establish the Gunners as serious contenders at the top end of the Premier League table, following the end of Arsene Wenger’s 22-year reign .

A run of three league games without a win, including last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Watford which saw Emery’s team blow a two-goal advantage, means there is a little pressure on his shoulders ahead of Villa’s visit.

“I think it is a very, very tough to take over. We all saw that when Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United as well,” added Smith.

“People are always looking and comparing, whether it is Sir Alex or Arsene Wenger. They just have to be themselves and go in and do the job. I think Unai has done that very well.”

Villa head into the match off the back of last Monday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with West Ham, a game Smith feels his team should have won.

The boss, meanwhile, confirmed there had been no further discussions with Anwar El Ghazi or Tyrone Mings following the pair’s on-field bust-up during the match. Winger El Ghazi risked a red card when he stuck his head into Mings’ face during the first-half. The pair later shook hands in the dressing room at half-time and Smith said: “That was sorted out by the players. I don’t think you will see Anwar El Ghazi and Tyrone Mings do that again.

“There was a coming together. I have seen it called a headbutt.

“I have seen headbutts and that was not a headbutt. Probably the red mist descended on both of them. Emotional control is something I talk about a lot in the dressing room and the players have to show an awful lot of that.

“The matter was sorted at half-time. I would not have got anything out of dragging them into the office (this week). For me that is me making them come together. That is not what it is about.

“They have got to respect each other enough to make it real, otherwise me dragging them in together and asking them to shake hands? That doesn’t work for me.”