Aston Villa have enjoyed a stellar season under Unai Emery, securing a place in the Champions League for 2024/25.
The Villans have been going from strength to strength under the Spaniard since he took the reins at B6 in November 2022.
Villa were a lowly 15th in the Premier League table when Emery took over. Now, 18 months down the line, they’ve sealed fourth place in the league.
A combination of great tactics, superb man-management and a number of great signings have turned the Villans into a force to be reckoned with.
So much so, in fact, that even Troy Deeney – a lifelong Birmingham City fan and former Blues player – can’t help but sing Emery’s praises.
What has Troy Deeney said about Aston Villa manager Unai Emery?
Deeney, writing in The Sun, has named Emery above the likes of Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Gary O’Neil as his manager of the season.
The 35-year-old also backed Villa to improve even further next season, and believes the claret-and-blue faithful should be getting excited about what’s to come.
“I could rattle off the likes of Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, or even O’Neil, but I am going to go with Unai Emery at Aston Villa,” wrote Deeney.
“He took a team that was decent and turned them into a side ready to compete in the Champions League with that top-four spot.
“They’ve managed to stay above teams with bigger budgets and who have spent a lot more and, scarily, I can only see Villa getting better under Emery.
“Their fans should be very excited for next season – and that’s coming from a Birmingham lad.”
What’s next for Aston Villa this season and in pre-season?
Villa wrap up the season with a trip to Crystal Palace in their season finale on Sunday, with all the games kicking off at 4pm.
The Villans are set to contest three games in a pre-season tour of the United States in late July and early August, facing Columbus Crew, RB Leipzig and Club America.
Villa then take on Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park in a friendly on 10 August.