Unai Emery

[Chap]

Have you guys received the email from Villa tonight?

Looks like Unai has got the club to send out a thankyou email to the fans for the atmosphere at Villa Park this past week.

I don’t think I could ever love a bloke as much as I love Unai Emery.

“Thank you for creating an unforgettable atmosphere at Villa Park!

Unai Emery has praised the “fantastic” atmosphere inside Villa Park this week and Aston Villa Football Club would like to reiterate that praise for the support shown from all in claret and blue.

Every single person inside the stadium has played their part cheering on this great club to victory in two very special nights in B6.

Thank you for your continued support.

UTV!

And this is the reason I have no worries about him being poached by any Prem side in the future.

[Somniloquism]

But the their record is 20, so to me that is the figure that should be listed.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's longest winning runs, not longest winning run per club.

[olaftab]

I am impressed by his class and grace as much as his tactical acumen. I’d be embarrassed if a petulant child like Arteta was our manager.

Absolutely. A consummate gentleman.

A gentle consummator.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Where do I donate to the statue?

Some Basque flags wouldn't go amiss.

[Rory]

I am impressed by his class and grace as much as his tactical acumen. I’d be embarrassed if a petulant child like Arteta was our manager.

Absolutely. A consummate gentleman.

A gentle consummator.

If you say so, Aftab 😉

[Monty]

This guy. He's in the top two and he ain't two.

[supertom]

One thing that has surprised many is how attacking a side we are under Unai as he was often accused of being too pragmatic at Arsenal. To a lesser extent at Villarreal but given their overall quality that was more out of necessity.

We play great football. We're able to deliver performances like City, Newcastle and Brighton where we dominant and produce constant waves of attack. But I think what's key, and maybe something people don't entirely appreciate, is that Unai hasn't forgotten how to grind a result either. The Unai system seems to be flexible. We've seen it shift a little within games and the intricacy of players shifting, filling gaps, and switching from defence to attack is incredibly well-drilled.

But he mostly seems to have an answer for everything (our inability to keep a clean sheet, which he's answered in the last two games). If he needs to switch something up or change the dynamic slightly. He's not just putting all his eggs in one basket. Like we saw under Lambert when we started to have some degree of success (end half of his first season)  or Timmy, Deano, Gerrard etc. They found a linear plan A that worked for a period (some longer than other) but had no plan B or ability to evolve their plan A.

His use of substitutes lately has also been key. It solidified our dominance against City. Against Arsenal when we were clearly exhausted and in danger of being overrun, he made key changes that helped us see the game out. It's not just fresh legs either, players came in knowing what to do. If a CH was in danger of being burned for pace, Moreno or Cash mopped up for example.

The guy is incredible. I knew he'd be good. I knew he'd improve us but there can't be anyone, even the most wildly optimistic villa fan, who could have envisioned where we are now.

[john e]

Totally agree with you there supertom

I can’t be doing with pragmatic, defensive, cautious Conservative managers (mainly British)
In fairness Unai has got all that but he’s also got that attacking intent and flair as well as the military operation he has with the highline,
 Let’s face it it’s we’ve got the best of both worlds at the moment

[AV84]

I know he says he takes it one game at a time but I find it hard to believe that a lot of choices the last few weeks haven't been building up to the two games this week.

[oldhill_avfc]

Have you guys received the email from Villa tonight?

Looks like Unai has got the club to send out a thankyou email to the fans for the atmosphere at Villa Park this past week.

I don’t think I could ever love a bloke as much as I love Unai Emery.

“Thank you for creating an unforgettable atmosphere at Villa Park!

Unai Emery has praised the “fantastic” atmosphere inside Villa Park this week and Aston Villa Football Club would like to reiterate that praise for the support shown from all in claret and blue.

Every single person inside the stadium has played their part cheering on this great club to victory in two very special nights in B6.

Thank you for your continued support.

UTV!

The telegraph’s view of Villa Park

Perhaps the greatest weapon at Emery’s disposal is Villa Park, which heaved and rocked throughout the evening. On nights such as these there is an aggression and intensity to this stadium that is matched by the players on the pitch. Or maybe it is the players on the pitch who create that atmosphere in the stands. Whichever way round it is, the end result is intoxicating.

[Ads]

That goal we scored last night was just perfection. Absolutely unreal. Total football. The patience, accuracy of slow balling at the back and then bang, the crocodile strikes; 2pbm to 200pbm, end result, goal.

The two performances mirrored it; the total control and energy against Man City, followed by the leggy, tactical defensive shut down of Arsenal second half when we couldn't control the game.

The man is a genius. Our genius. So much class. Never blames a referee, never moans about an opponent. He's going to write so many chapters of our history.

[Risso]

Scoring early goals has been a nice habit at VP, it shuts the away fans up straight away. The Tarquins were nearly as quiet as Man City were on Wednesday.

[Monty]

That goal we scored last night was just perfection. Absolutely unreal. Total football. The patience, accuracy of slow balling at the back and then bang, the crocodile strikes; 2pbm to 200pbm, end result, goal.

The two performances mirrored it; the total control and energy against Man City, followed by the leggy, tactical defensive shut down of Arsenal second half when we couldn't control the game.

The man is a genius. Our genius. So much class. Never blames a referee, never moans about an opponent. He's going to write so many chapters of our history.

'The crocodile strikes', that is exactly what it is.

[olaftab]

The telegraph’s view of Villa Park

Perhaps the greatest weapon at Emery’s disposal is Villa Park, which heaved and rocked throughout the evening. On nights such as these there is an aggression and intensity to this stadium that is matched by the players on the pitch. Or maybe it is the players on the pitch who create that atmosphere in the stands. Whichever way round it is, the end result is intoxicating.

It has to be a two way thing. Not long ago they were turning up and wiping the floor with us at Villa Park. Team changed and provided the inspiration for fans  and now team and fans are complimenting each other.