Unai Emery has explained how Aston Villa’s “protected structure” was lacking at Arsenal after he replaced Arsene Wenger.
Appointed 25 months months ago by Nassef Sawiris, Emery has transformed Villa on the pitch, helping them return to European football in 2022/23, before then reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals and qualifying for Champions League football last term with a fourth-placed finish.
The Spaniard’s return to the Premier League came after a successful stint at Villarreal, where he won the fourth Europa League title of his career. Then leading the Yellows to the Champions League semi-final in 2021/22, Emery once again proved himself as one of the top coaches in European football after being sacked at Arsenal in November 2019.
Speaking to DAZN about his success at Villa after leaving Villarreal, Emery said: “[I] Learned in the sense of getting to know the Premier League better, mastering the language better and managing myself better within a club with a more protected structure. When things went wrong at Arsenal, we were more fragile because none of that was there. That hasn’t happened here yet, let’s hope it doesn’t.
“After leaving Arsenal, I took advantage of the first six months when the pandemic hit. They were the only ones in 20 years that I have been without training. I also took advantage of the opportunity to try to find and change certain things.
“I made some changes to my coaching staff to find new things, new eyes towards football. When you have been working together for a long time, you see football more or less the same. Also, I was in Madrid, I took advantage of the opportunity to watch football and be with a lot of people.
“At Villarreal I was able to experience that process of broadening my horizons towards football from another perspective. It helped me understand more things within football. Tactically, emotionally, management… And when I arrived at Aston Villa I tried to carry out that entire process of contribution.
“Returning to Villarreal was like rediscovering myself on a personal and professional level. I found a place where I felt very comfortable, where I had the facilities to work so I could continue developing as a coach. When you come back from a situation like the one I had in Paris, at Arsenal, and I come back to Spain… You don’t know how your career is going to turn out again. So, I was aware of that.
“Villarreal gave me the opportunity to work at ease and also to have a level where I could also achieve important goals . We won the Europa League, we played in the Champions League semi-finals… They were very nice moments.”
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