Aston Villa appoint Unai Emery as new boss

Emery was confirmed as Steven Gerrard’s successor following a day of talks in Spain, during which the club’s ownership sold him their ambitious vision for the future.

The 50-year-old requires a work permit and will officially start at Villa Park next Tuesday, November 1. First-team coach Aaron Danks will take charge of Saturday’s match at Newcastle, with Emery’s first game at the helm the home fixture with Manchester United on November 6.

A four-time Europa League winner who has managed more than 900 matches, Emery has a pedigree which appeals to Villa’s ownership, who were keen to appoint a head coach capable of taking the club the next level after progress stalled badly during Gerrard’s 11-month reign.

Emery was always high on their shortlist when it came to sourcing a successor but came to the fore after Mauricio Pochettino, initially their No.1 target, indicated he would rather wait for an opportunity with a club competing in Europe.

Talks were also scheduled with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim but then shelved on Monday morning with Villa’s hierarchy heading out to Spain to speak with Emery. From there, things moved quickly.

Villareal remained hopeful of convincing Emery, who last year turned down an approach from Newcastle before leading them to the semi-finals of the Champions League, to stay but by the early evening it had become clear he was prepared to accept Villa’s offer.

A former midfielder who played mostly in the Spanish Second Division, Emery established a formidable reputation as a manager by winning the Europa League with Sevilla in three consecutive seasons.

He then went on to manage Paris St Germain, winning the French title and though his 18-month spell in charge of Arsenal, having succeeded Arsene Wenger in 2018, proved something of a disappointment, his prior knowledge of the Premier League was seen as an advantage by Villa’s board.

Gerrard was sacked with the team sitting outside the relegation zone on goals scored having won just two of their first 11 matches. Sunday’s 4-0 win against Brentford, over which Danks took charge, significantly lifted the mood and the club’s hierarchy believe they have a squad capable of challenging for a top half finish.

Emery, who will hold a farewell press conference at Villareal on Tuesday evening, is expected to be handed significant funds to strengthen in the January transfer window.