One of the surprise packages in the Premier League last season, Aston Villa managed a fourth-place finish under Unai Emery, meaning they would return to the Champions League for the first time since 1983. The Spaniard is one of the most underrated managers in European football, taking a Villa side that was tipped for relegation with Premier League betting under Steven Gerrard to one that was top of the Champions League group stage after three games.
Indeed, the last few months have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Villa. When Emery arrived in late 2022, Villa were hovering just above the relegation zone, but in just two years, the Spaniard has revitalised the club, assembling a new side spearheaded by the goals of Ollie Watkins and protected by the defensive solidity of Emiliano Martinez, Pau Torres, and other stalwarts of the English top flight like John McGinn, Lucas Digne and Matty Cash.
After finishing fourth, it was important to strengthen in order to balance this season’s domestic campaign with European responsibility. Amadou Onana arrived from Everton to replace Douglas Luiz, while Ian Maatesen and Enzo Barrenechea added greater depth.
Villa’s rise is a testament to Emery’s tactical acumen, and now they are reaping the rewards with their return to the Champions League.
The peak of the season so far has to be the Bayern Munich match. A replay of the 1982 final in which Villa won their first-ever European Cup, the West Midlanders were once again on hand to cause an upset against the Bavarians at Villa Park.
Arriving off the back of a win away to Young Boys, Villa were full of confidence in front of a passionate home crowd, who managed to kill Bayern’s early momentum under new manager Vincent Kompany.
Jhon Duran came off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 79th minute. It took just nine minutes for Duran to make an impact, catching keeper Manuel Neuer off guard with a brilliantly hit finish – sending Villa Park into raptures. A win and a clean sheet followed against Bologna, showcasing Emery’s ability to win in Europe.
The Spaniard tasted success in the Europa League with Sevilla and guided Villarreal to a Champions League semi-final before falling short to Liverpool in Castellón, but this Villa side are perhaps more talented and have the mentality to be a surprise package.
“We are playing seriously, very focused and mature in everything. We showed it,” Emery said after the Bologna win. “Champions League is very difficult but we had to be consistent in our gameplan and we did fantastic.
“I want to feel something like a natural way and not as a surprise because we are playing good performances. There are other contenders and favourites for the top eight, but we are of course feeling comfortable.”
There is still more to be done though if Villa want to return to the Champions League next season. Obviously, winning the competition entirely would ensure their spot, but realistically results need to improve in the Premier League in order to secure a fourth-place finish once again.
Defeats to Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup, followed by a 4-1 hammering against Tottenham Hotspur, indicate the team is struggling for form, but with an unbeaten start to life in Europe, Villa should have enough in the tank to reach the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Only time will tell how far they go from there.