One big Unai Emery question remains after recent events at Aston Villa
A major question remains around Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after recent events behind the scenes.
Villa had a very poor start to the Premier League season, but managed to get their first win of the new campaign last weekend, beating Fulham 3-1.
There has been disruption behind the scenes as well, after it was announced that sporting director Monchi had left the club.
Aston Villa immediately brought in Roberto Olabe from Real Sociedad to replace the Spaniard.
Unai Emery may be having doubts
Emery laughed off questions about his future at Aston Villa in the wake of Monchi’s shock departure from the Midlands giants.
However, Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that, internally, the Spaniard may be having doubts about his future.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Emery and Monchi were the “dream team” and that the former sporting director’s departure could spark a change in management.
Wyness added that Olabe has previous history with Emery and could settle things down at Villa Park.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Olabe coming in from Real Sociedad, he has a good history and knowledge of working with Emery. But Monchi and Emery were the dream team, and you’ve got to just wonder, is there something in Emery’s mind now about moving on?
“They had a win at the weekend, which was pretty important for them because things were starting to build up in terms of the bad media and the fan pressure.
“Olabe, I think, can actually settle things down as well and give Emery some clear hope and some clear vision to try and reinvent the club under the PSR restrictions.
“I understand the arguments that Villa fans and the Villa ownership have about PSR because I think it’s been wrong. These are sensible owners who are not going to put the club in debt.
“They’ve got the resources to handle this properly, but they’re not being allowed to spend. That’s still something that’s wrong for me. Nevertheless, that’s what they have to handle in terms of the rules.”
Aston Villa’s Emery stance revealed
Meanwhile, Emery is under no pressure from the Aston Villa board, despite the rumours that he is having doubts about his own future, sources have told Football Insider.
Villa feel that they are very lucky to have a manager of his calibre at the club, and see him as part of the long-term plan.
Their victory over Fulham last weekend could provide the Midlands side with the springboard they need to really kickstart their season.
Aston Villa are yet to finish below seventh in the Premier League under Emery, and the former Arsenal manager will be eager to ensure that record continues.
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