Aston Villa: Unai Emery in contention to win Premier League award – BBC pundit
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…
Unai Emery has to be in the conversation for the Premier League manager of the season award, according to Alan Hutton.
Villa are fourth in the standings as they head into the 14th round of fixtures this season with only holders Manchester City (33) outscoring the Midlands club (31) at this point.
On Thursday night (30 November), the Villans also secured qualification from their Europa Conference League group with a 2-1 win over Legia Warsaw at Villa Park.
Ange Postecoglou has won all three manager of the month awards so far this season in the Premier League but Aston Villa boss Emery is in the running for the main award, according to Hutton, especially if the Spaniard can seal a top-four finish.
“If he ends up where his at this moment in time, in the top four, then absolutely he’ll be in the conversation. There’s no getting away from that,” Hutton told Villa News when asked if Emery could be a contender for the manager of the season award.
“I’ve spoken a million times about him being outstanding. He’s a breath of fresh air. Everything he does, he works hard to get it out of the players on the training ground and you can see it in games.
“Does he take risks? Absolutely. He plays a high line and gives away a lot of chances to opposition teams but he’s not happy to just sit and defend. He wants to go out and dominate games. They got until the very end.
“It’s been a big turn around and if they end up in the European positions again, after last season, then he has to be in the conversation.”
In other Aston Villa news, it is “done” for this central midfielder to quit Villa Park with a permanent transfer deal already agreed.