It is no exaggeration to suggest that no other manager in world football could have matched Unai Emery's achievements at Aston Villa over the past three-and-a-half years. Having accumulated the fourth-highest number of Premier League points during that period and securing European qualification for four consecutive seasons, including two Champions League campaigns, the one missing piece from his tenure was an open secret.
A fifth Europa League triumph of his career not only cements Emery as one of the tactical geniuses of his generation but also places him in conversations among the greatest managers in Villa's 152-year history.
During his unveiling in November 2022, Emery answered the third question by outlining his grand plan: to qualify for European football and deliver a trophy. He also made clear his intention to remain at the club long-term, a statement that delighted fans who immediately bought into his project.
Emery has not only taken the fanbase on a remarkable journey but has also introduced a new brand of football built on core principles of control and structural discipline.
Back-to-back wins against Manchester United and Brighton before the World Cup offered a glimpse of what was to come. However, after three consecutive defeats to Leicester City, Manchester City, and Arsenal, there were moans and groans around Villa Park, largely aimed at the persistence of playing out from the back and a perceived lack of urgency on the ball.
Momentum was quickly regained through results, and Villa went on to complete one of Emery's first objectives: qualifying for European competition via the Conference League. The consistency of Villa's performances and results has made what Emery is achieving at Villa Park seem almost routine.
In fact, his omission from this season's Manager of the Season shortlist, despite delivering a top-four finish and the Europa League, suggests he may be a victim of his own success.
But what exactly is it that makes Emery so special?
Ezri Konsa says: "His attention to detail. The passion that he shows and the dedication, the hours that he puts in behind closed doors to make sure a game goes right. Everything about him makes him a top, top manager. I have enjoyed working under him a lot."
Youri Tielemans agrees: "His attention to detail, his analysis of the game, how we can be better, his demands as well. He is very much hands-on with players in training. Sometimes he uses you as an example and shows how you can do things, and sometimes you do not do them, why are you not doing them then, you are doing them there. It pushes you to do them every time and again and to be the best version of yourself. And then even more. If you can do it one time, two times, all the way through, it helps you become a better player."
Tielemans adds: "With him, what I find special and in my opinion is different from other managers is that he does not listen to the outside noise. Let us say you have a bad game or make a mistake or whatever, he is going to be there to support you, no matter what, when you have proven to him that he can trust you, whether it is by offensive actions or your commitment to the team. Then he is going to look at you and he is not going to let you down if you do not let him down. That is a special bond that he creates with the players who prove to him that they are worthy of playing. Once you have that, then he is going to give you the world, and obviously you do not have to break that commitment to him and the team. Just give it your all, and then everything is going to come good."
Pau Torres, who knows Emery better than most, says: "He pushes every player a lot in training and video sessions. Most players are now going with their national team; this is of great value to the club. It is important that the players follow what the staff wants. We are obviously achieving really good things by following their instructions, and we are happy with our staff."
In the coming weeks, as Villa's remarkable season begins to sink in, attention will inevitably turn to the next big objective.
Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris, who led the pursuit of Unai Emery in October 2022, took ownership of the club alongside Wes Edens from Tony Xia in the summer of 2018. Since then, they have funded Villa's meteoric rise from the Championship. After earning promotion back to the Premier League in their first season, thanks in large part to the inspired appointment of Dean Smith and Jack Grealish's return from injury, Villa went on to consolidate their top-flight status. The appointment of Steven Gerrard proved to be a misstep under former CEO Christian Purslow, but the arrival of Emery ultimately transformed the club's trajectory.
Sawiris briefly stopped for reporters after Villa's Europa League triumph and declared that there was no ceiling to his ambitions. "Amazing. It means a lot. I cannot express myself with words. Very special," he said. "An eight-year ride, and we saw today what hard work can do with Unai's effort and the whole team. An amazing win. The sky is the limit."
