Alan Hutton: Unai Emery appointment a statement of intent from Aston Villa
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 the appointment of Unai Emery is a statement of intent from Aston Villa after the Spaniard was named Steven Gerrard’s successor.
The 50-year-old will take charge after this weekend’s fixture against Newcastle United with Emery set to manage three fixtures before the World Cup break.
Hutton couldn’t argue with Emery’s CV but did also suggest that he thought the appointment of Gerrard was also a statement of intent by the club.
“Yeah I think it is [statement of intent], but I also thought that with Steven Gerrard,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“I hope he will do well, he’s obviously a very good coach and he was at PSG not too long ago, so he’s worked with superstars. He knows how to get the best out of lesser players and that’s not a dig at Villarreal because they’re going great guns at the moment.
“You can’t argue with his career so far, so hopefully he can go and replicate that at Aston Villa.”
Emery returns to the Premier League after spending a year and a half at Arsenal in the 2018/19 season as Arsene Wenger’s successor.
Villa could have some positive news on the injury front with Boubacar Kamara set to return before the World Cup break (The Athletic) and Lucas Digne potentially being fit for the trip to St James’ Park.
In other Villa news, Chris Sutton predicts the outcome v Newcastle.