Unai Emery has led Aston Villa to a historic Europa League victory, and the club's owners are set to reward him with a £100m transfer budget to strengthen the squad for a Champions League assault next season.
Historic Victory
The Spaniard masterminded a 3-0 thrashing of Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday night, securing Villa's first European trophy since 1982 and their first silverware in three decades. The win has made Emery the toast of Birmingham.
Champions League Ambitions
Emery now has his sights set on the Champions League. Villa reached the quarter-finals last season, losing 5-4 to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. The manager believes that with key additions, his side can go even deeper into the competition next term.
Transfer Plans
Emery will hold talks with joint owner Nassef Sawiris to finalize a spending plan. He is keen to strengthen midfield, targeting Celta Vigo's Ilaix Moriba, Fulham's Harry Wilson, and Como's Jesus Rodriguez. The club also aims to retain Youri Tielemans amid interest from other clubs.
To comply with Premier League PSR rules, Villa will release Jadon Sancho from his loan deal to reduce the wage bill. However, Sawiris is ready to back Emery financially.
Owner's Vision
Sawiris, who watched the final in Istanbul, said: "It's amazing. It means a lot. I can't express myself with words. It's very special. An eight-year ride and we saw here what hard work can do with Unai's effort and the whole team. It's an amazing win. And the sky's the limit."
The club is also launching a free daily newsletter and a weekly podcast, Claret and Blue, available on major streaming platforms.
