Alan Hutton: Unai Emery suits Aston Villa European ambition
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park.
Alan Hutton believes Unai Emery was appointed by Aston Villa due to the Spaniard having pedigree in Europe after taking Villarreal to the Champions League semi-final.
Emery has previously won the Europa League three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal during his time spent in Spain.
Hutton feels the Villa ownership’s European ambitions mean the Spaniard could well be a good fit at Villa Park after he replaced Steven Gerrard.
“It’s not one that I had on my mind and it kind of came out of nowhere,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“We mentioned the club having European ambitions and this is a guy who has done that on several occasions. What he did at Sevilla and obviously Villarreal and even last season in the Champions League shows the pedigree is there for Europe.
“He’s done well at these teams. He obviously went to Arsenal and it didn’t work but how difficult is it to take over from Arsene Wenger, we have all seen how Manchester United have struggled under Alex Ferguson.
“It’s difficult to step into those shoes, but hopefully Villa will be a good fit for him. He’s a good coach and I am sure he will get backed from the owners because I am sure they will want to get into those European places.”
Emery won’t be in charge for Villa’s next Premier League fixture at Newcastle United with Aaron Danks set to oversee proceedings at St James’ Park.
The former Arsenal boss will face Manchester United twice in four days in the league and cup to get his reign at Villa Park underway.
In other Aston Villa news, Lucas Digne could be available for clash vs Newcastle