Emery's Villa vs. O'Neill's Villa

[BC Villain]

Putting aside all of the 'O'Neill was a tosser for running off when he couldn't get what he wanted" stuff, how would Emery's side fare against the last Villa side to challenge this high up the table?

[Toronto Villa]

Emery’s team would win. He would focus on MON’s plan A and nullify it. Game over.

[Steve67]

Emery vs O'Neill is just not a fair comparison.  Emery is so far ahead it's unreal.  I know people who have worked with O'Neill and they all say the same.  An egotistical, ignorant man.  His lack of tactical nous and lack of ability to bring in players who could take us to the next level was plainly obvious.  The 2023 model would smash O'Neill's Villa.  Milner and Barry might get a game on a regular basis but the others would struggle.

[BC Villain]

Emery’s team would win. He would focus on MON’s plan A and nullify it. Game over.

Emery's Villa are brilliant at home, whereas O'Neill's team was better suited to being on the road.  We tend to have problems with teams who are conservative at home, which was arguably the strongest facet of O'Neill's Villa.

Emery is clearly a far better manager operating at a level O'Neill could only dream of however

[FatSam]

O’Neill’s reign was completely unsustainable. I spent the whole time hoping that we could somehow fluke top four because it was clear that the wheels were about to fall off. It doesn’t feel like this with Emery. In terms of which team would win, as TV had said, Emery would have a plan to nullify O’Neill.

[Tom_Mc9?]

Emery vs O'Neill is just not a fair comparison.  Emery is so far ahead it's unreal.  I know people who have worked with O'Neill and they all say the same.  An egotistical, ignorant man.  His lack of tactical nous and lack of ability to bring in players who could take us to the next level was plainly obvious.  The 2023 model would smash O'Neill's Villa.  Milner and Barry might get a game on a regular basis but the others would struggle.

I’d say Young and a fit Laursen would be fine. I agree with your post though.

[darren woolley]

I think Unai's team would win.

[Risso]

Emery vs O'Neill is just not a fair comparison.  Emery is so far ahead it's unreal.  I know people who have worked with O'Neill and they all say the same.  An egotistical, ignorant man.  His lack of tactical nous and lack of ability to bring in players who could take us to the next level was plainly obvious.  The 2023 model would smash O'Neill's Villa.  Milner and Barry might get a game on a regular basis but the others would struggle.

Ashley Young was getting a game on a regular basis for Unai last year!

I'd love to see the Carew from back then in this Villa side.

[Mister E]

No contest.

[mike]

O’Neil signed Marlon Harewood. I don’t think he deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as Emery. We finished 6th because a lot of other teams were shite.

[Footy-Vill]

Emery vs O'Neill is just not a fair comparison.  Emery is so far ahead it's unreal.  I know people who have worked with O'Neill and they all say the same.  An egotistical, ignorant man.  His lack of tactical nous and lack of ability to bring in players who could take us to the next level was plainly obvious.  The 2023 model would smash O'Neill's Villa.  Milner and Barry might get a game on a regular basis but the others would struggle.

Ashley Young was getting a game on a regular basis for Unai last year!

I'd love to see the Carew from back then in this Villa side.

Of the players of O'Neill era I thought these were absolutely the greats.
Heroes of the time
Laursen, Barry, Young, Milner And Carew
Honourable mentions to Petrov, Friedel and Gabby

 
 Barry and Young outstanding and for me would be in Villa team today. Carew upfront would be great wouldn't it!?

[AV84]

O’Neill’s reign was completely unsustainable. I spent the whole time hoping that we could somehow fluke top four because it was clear that the wheels were about to fall off. It doesn’t feel like this with Emery. In terms of which team would win, as TV had said, Emery would have a plan to nullify O’Neill.

I felt the same about O'Neill, it was fun while it lasted but it almost felt like we'd just hit a purple patch and there was no telling how or when it would end, just that it would end. This time it feels like we're seeing the results of deliberate action. There's planning involved, short term, long term, alternative plans, back up plans for the alternative plans.

Emery's team would beat O'Neill's, and probably Emery with O'Neill's team would beat O'Neill with Emery's team.

[Risso]

O’Neil signed Marlon Harewood. I don’t think he deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as Emery. We finished 6th because a lot of other teams were shite.

And Harewood wasn't even the shittest player he signed, which I'd say was Habib Beye. Shorey was a disaster too.

[Footy-Vill]

O’Neil signed Marlon Harewood. I don’t think he deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as Emery. We finished 6th because a lot of other teams were shite.

And Harewood wasn't even the shittest player he signed, which I'd say was Habib Beye. Shorey was a disaster too.

Stephen Warnock is always affectionate in speaking on Villa
Tipped us for Champions League.
Sidwell doesn't seem to be much bothered yet have to endure him and Crouch on European nights.

[LukeJames]

Habib Beye, 31, 3 year contract, 40k a week, 9 appearances. Who sanctioned that?