Unai Emery

[brontebilly]

I think the biggest compliment that can be paid is to acknowledge how clearly all of the players understand “our structure” and “our way”, to which he frequently refers, to the extent that even with a few key players being forced out of contention, we still pitch up in Istanbul and play like liquid gold. And then, in the space of one training session, pitch up at the Jaudis and do the same.

It’s one of the reasons he was keen to get Bailey back rather than make a new signing because he didn’t need to slowly integrate in the way he makes new signings.

Some decision to bring him on after less than an hour today. Huge show of faith. His man management skills don't get enough praise either.

[Monty]

To steal Townley's phrase, winning in Istanbul and Newcastle in the space of 70 hours is pretty damn stunning.

[Percy McCarthy]

I think the biggest compliment that can be paid is to acknowledge how clearly all of the players understand “our structure” and “our way”, to which he frequently refers, to the extent that even with a few key players being forced out of contention, we still pitch up in Istanbul and play like liquid gold. And then, in the space of one training session, pitch up at the Jaudis and do the same.

Liquid gold, nice. The polar opposite of what my son’s under-15s team say is the out-dated, agricultural hoof-ball their coach has them playing. Or as they call it, Brexitball.

[Percy McCarthy]

Nice to see Unai peruses H&V and belated took my advice about what he should have done when SJM hobbled off against Everton. That is to say, pair Maatsen & Digne down the left, rather than bringing Guessand on.

[ChicagoLion]

To steal Townley's phrase, winning in Istanbul and Newcastle in the space of 70 hours is pretty damn stunning.

Yes, it’s hell of an achievement.
Incredible.

[SaddVillan]

This from The Briefing, where every Monday, The Athletic discusses the biggest questions posed by the weekend’s Premier League action.

ARE PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS MANAGING THEIR SQUADS RIGHT IN EUROPE?

If further evidence was needed that the Premier League is stronger than ever, witness last week’s results for Liverpool, Newcastle and Spurs.

Liverpool sauntered past France’s third-best team, Marseille, on their own turf last week, overcoming an incredibly intimidating atmosphere to breeze to a 3-0 win. At the weekend, they lost to Bournemouth.

Spurs were equally as comfortable against Germany’s second-best team, Borussia Dortmund, winning 2-0 in north London. In the league, they couldn’t beat Burnley and indeed have only won twice (against Brentford and Crystal Palace) since October.

Newcastle also didn’t concede a goal in Europe, easing past PSV 3-0, but they too couldn’t repeat that form domestically, meekly losing at home to Aston Villa.

The trio sit in the top eight of the Champions League table going into this week’s final round of matches. What does this tell us? Yes, as has become evident in the past couple of seasons, the Premier League is becoming akin to England’s own super league, but also, none of those clubs are managing their squads terribly well right now.

Given how easily Liverpool wins in France, perhaps Hugo Ekitike could have been rested there instead of at Bournemouth, for example. Thomas Frank (among many other things) has struggled to combine managing the two big competitions (doing so for the first time in his managerial career).

The master at juggling European and domestic commitments is Unai Emery. While Slot was moaning about having to play two away matches in four days (and about missing a couple of key players), Emery, also without important figures such as Boubacar Kamara, was overseeing his Villa side playing the same tough schedule and win both games without conceding a goal. He rested centre-back pairing Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa for their impressive 1-0 victory at Fenerbahce on Thursday, and both were back at Newcastle to play crucial roles in a hard-fought win.

That’s how you do it.

[PeterWithesShin]

Opta world rankings

[eamonn]

Cor!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If only UEFA would pay us what we deserve.

[Ian.]

Who cares where we are in that league. Where are we in the most revenue league table? Much more exciting, just ask the Spurs fans.

[Brazilian Villain]

Only fourth?? Sort it out, Unai!

[cdbearsfan]

We're BY FAR the greatest team (that never wins a trophy) the world has ever seen.

[pelty]

Sky Germany reporting contact has been made with Emery’s team about going to Real Madrid. That is a concern for me, but maybe I am overreacting?

[Stu]

Sky Germany reporting contact has been made with Emery’s team about going to Real Madrid. That is a concern for me, but maybe I am overreacting?

May well have happened. Don’t think he would leave us mid-season but that or the Barca job is the dream for him I reckon.

[VILLA MOLE]

I hope he would rather not get involved with an entitled circus of a club