Simon Jordan gives verdict on Unai Emery after Aston Villa win v Brighton
Simon Jordan believes Aston Villa are not “setting the world alight” since Unai Emery’s appointment despite claiming back-to-back wins in the Premier League.
Emery’s men claimed a huge 2-1 win over Brighton on the south coast on Sunday 13 November, which in turn catapulted them to just one point off the top half of the table, and four points off the top six.
The pundit, speaking live on talkSPORT on Tuesday 15 November, outlined that Villa were previously underperforming considering the quality of their squad and that they can now start to climb the Premier League table under the Spaniard.
He said: “They got a bounce in the first game didn’t they, they won that game 4-0 against Brentford who have just gone and won at Man City which just shows you the adversity of this league.
“Unai Emery has come in and done what you would have excepted him to do.
“He is a capable manager, he got a lot of derision at Arsenal because he lost control of himself, the media representation of him and certain personalities in his dressing room at what would have been quite a difficult time.
“I expected him to do okay, they beat Man United, the reverse happened in the League Cup and they got a good result at the weekend.
“So, you know, it’s not setting the world alight but it’s okay. They’ve done okay.”
Manager bounce
Claiming consecutive wins over Manchester United and an in-form Brighton side has been the perfect start to Emery’s reign at Villa Park.
Considering the West Midlands side had not won away from home all season, Emery must take a lot of credit for the remarkable turnaround since Steven Gerrard’s sacking.
The players are obviously buying into the new 4-2-2-2 system and now look like a side who are hard to break down and a far more resilient side than under Gerrard’s stewardship.
Jordan is right in saying that Emery is a capable manager. Having won seven trophies in two seasons at PSG and securing four Europa League winners medals, the Spaniard has come back to the Premier League with a point to prove and is determined to bring success back to Villa Park.
He was unfairly criticised by the media during his spell at Arsenal – a near-impossible job to succeed in – before going back to Villarreal and once again proving himself as an elite manager.
In other news, Barcelona plotting move for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz – report.