Aston Villa are enjoying a tremendous Premier League season thanks to the influence of Unai Emery, who has been lauded by former England international Rob Green for one key thing he’s done at Villa Park.
Aston Villa are well and truly on the up as Unai Emery looks to fire his side into next season’s Champions League, as well as fighting for the prize of European silverware this term.
The Villans have enjoyed a phenomenal 2023/24 calendar, sitting comfortably in fourth place with just four games remaining in the Premier League and being in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.
To put the cherry on the cake, Emery penned a new deal with the club yesterday, putting Villa on course for a thrilling future guided by the Spaniard.
READ MORE: Gabby Agbonlahor reacts to Unai Emery contract extension
From reconnecting the club culture to raising the bar on the pitch, the boss is well-loved at Villa Park, with former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green pinpointing one key element where the Villa boss thrives.
Unai Emery praised for his ability to raise individual performance at Aston Villa
Speaking on the Football Daily podcast, Green reacted to the news of Emery’s contract extension, highlighting an area that the manager looks most ‘comfortable’.
“When he went to the big clubs, and he’s been to a couple, it never really worked.
“Where he is comfortable is on the training ground, working with players, making players better and he’s done that.
“As fits go, it really is a really good fit, I think for Emery, he looks at it and goes ‘This is great, it’s a big club, it suits me, the players suit me’. It’s seemingly a wonderful fit.”
Green is not wrong, Emery and Villa are the perfect match, as highlighted by his success in the Midlands in comparison to his time at the likes of Arsenal and PSG.
Another area where the former shot-stopper is correct is his comment on the boss’ ability to make ‘players better’, which is one of the key reasons why he has won the faith of many in his short time in Birmingham so far.
Unai Emery has made a list of Aston Villa players better
Considering where Villa are now, it’s easy to forget that the same squad sat down in 17th under Steven Gerrard at the time of Emery’s arrival.
When looking at a selection of individuals who played under Gerrard over the 2021/22 campaign compared to how they’re performing now, it’s clear just how much the Spaniard has improved performance at Bodymoor Heath.
Looking at the table above shows the rise in quality of Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey, John McGinn and most prominently, Ollie Watkins in terms of their contributions in front of goal.
It’s staggering to see how the manager’s style of play and management has encouraged players that were considered merely average in the Premier League a few years ago, to now become key names for Villa and some of the best in the top flight.
Green’s verdict on Emery is accurate, with the players and the club grateful for the work the marvellous coach has put in at Villa Park.
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