Aston Villa issued new Unai Emery advice amid Barcelona approach claim
Don Goodman has told Aston Villa to continue backing Unai Emery in order to ensure the Spaniard is not tempted by a move to Barcelona down the line.
Emery signed a new five-year deal at Villa Park on 27 May, fresh on the back of guiding the Villans into the Champions League.
That put an end to suggestions he could potentially be tempted away by Barcelona, who have now appointed Hansi Flick as Xavi’s successor.
Goodman has previously stated the Barca job is one of the only ones out there that could turn Emery’s head, but he does not believe any approach was made.
And as long as Villa back the 52-year-old and remain competitive, Goodman can see no reason for him leaving the West Midlands.
“We know he won’t be going anywhere this summer because of his new contract,” Goodman told Villa News. “He wouldn’t have signed that had he or his representatives been approached by Barcelona or anyone else for that matter.
“I think he appreciates he’s at a massive football club and he will want to build, improve the squad and compete with the teams that are above Aston Villa. There’s only three of them, but he will want to compete and hold the others behind them at length.
“It’s a project, and when managers get opportunities for a project they like that. He will get time and patience in order to take the club to the next level. They’re all singing from the same hymn sheet and that can only be a good thing for Aston Villa.”
Unai Emery at Aston Villa to stay
The news of Emery signing a new contract really was massive for Aston Villa. With the Barca job available at the time, there was every chance Emery would have been high up on their shortlist.
The work the former Arsenal head coach has so far achieved at Villa Park cannot be overstated. Nobody envisioned the club qualifying for the Champions League back in August.
Emery will now be eager to push on and ensure Villa are again in European contention next season, while also making an impression in UEFA’s showpiece competition.
Exactly how much he will have to spend is unclear given the PSR situation, but hopefully at least a couple of new players can be brought to Villa Park.
With the new contract came a subtle change to Emery’s job description, as he is now the club’s “manager”, rather than “head coach”, which shows he will continue to have a say in matters off the field.
The club deserve praise for tying him down and putting an end to any speculation over his future for the time being.
In other Aston Villa news, the club are reportedly eyeing a £12million option from abroad.
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