Aston Villa have announced a significant restructuring of their backroom staff, with two key figures departing the Premier League club. The shake-up sees the exit of first-team coach Austin MacPhee and head of performance Jack Wilson, both of whom have played crucial roles in recent seasons.
MacPhee and Wilson Depart
MacPhee, who joined Villa in 2021 under former manager Dean Smith, was primarily responsible for set-piece coaching. His departure comes after a mixed record in dead-ball situations, with Villa scoring 12 set-piece goals last season, ranking them mid-table in the Premier League. Wilson, who oversaw the club's sports science and performance departments, had been with Villa since 2019. Their exits are part of a wider review of the club's football operations under manager Unai Emery.
Emery's Influence
The changes reflect Emery's desire to reshape the backroom team to align with his methods. The Spanish manager, who took over in October 2022, has already brought in several trusted staff, including coach Pako Ayestaran and goalkeeping coach Javi Garcia. A club spokesperson said: "We thank Austin and Jack for their contributions and wish them well in their future endeavors. These changes are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the club's infrastructure."
Impact on Squad
The departures are unlikely to affect the first-team squad immediately, but they signal a longer-term shift in coaching philosophy. Villa finished seventh last season, qualifying for the Europa Conference League, and Emery is keen to build on that progress. The club has also been active in the transfer market, with signings including midfielder Youri Tielemans and defender Pau Torres. The restructuring is seen as a move to create a more streamlined and effective coaching setup.
