Unai Emery signs new Aston Villa deal

The Spaniard has committed his long-term future to the club by agreeing a deal through to 2029.

Emery has dramatically transformed Villa’s fortunes since being appointed in October 2022 when they sat just above the relegation zone. This season’s fourth-placed finish was their highest since 1996 and secured qualification for next season’s Champions League.

And the ambitious 52-year-old, who sat down with owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens last week to discuss plans for the summer, believes there is more to come.

“I am very happy to take this step and the responsibility of leading this club,” he said.

“Since I came to Villa with Wes and Nassef we found always the best environment and structure to develop a project with the highest ambition.

“All the football structure with Monchi and Damian and the owners, we share the same vision and same goals.

“There’s a great chemistry in Aston Villa. And the element of the fans’ support also makes the difference to feel like home. We are really excited to continue this journey with no limits to our dreams.”

Sawiris and Edens have pumped in more than £500million since taking control at Villa in 2018 but the £5.2m they paid Emery’s former club Villarreal to secure his release ranks as their shrewdest investment, such has been the success of his reign to date.

Emery has been granted almost full control of Villa’s football department with Monchi, the former Sevilla sporting director, appointed president of football operations last summer at his request. Right-hand man Damian Vidagany is head of football operations with significant power while a large backroom team has also been assembled.

Tying Emery down for the long-term was always top of Villa’s summer agenda and Sawiris and Edens moved quickly to act once the season was completed, with talks progressing rapidly in recent days.

The new deal has been signed just a month after Villa triggered an option to extend Emery’s previous contract through to 2027, following unwanted interest from Bayern Munich.

It is believed to include a significant pay rise on his former salary, which was worth up to £6million-a-season. There has also been a change of job title, with Emery referred to as "manager" rather than head coach, reflecting his powerful position.

Sawiris said: “We are building something special here at Aston Villa with Unai at its core and we are delighted that he has signed a new deal with the club until 2029.

“As we move into our historic, 150th anniversary year, there is a lot to look forward to with Unai at the helm.”