Aston Villa face unexpected Unai Emery exit twist as after major sack update at ambitious club
Aston Villa could be set for another twist in the dugout after Unai Emery had looked to have bought himself some time.
Just a week ago, Emery was under massive pressure at Villa, having not managed his team to a single win from six games to open the season.
But the last six days have seen the Spaniard start to turn around his team’s fortunes at Villa Park.
Villa beat Fulham 3-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, in a match that saw the Villans quadruple their league tally of goals for the season.
The win, which saw Emery’s side come from behind after Raul Jimenez had scored in the opening minutes, backed up Villa’s 1-0 win over Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday.
Saudi Pro League club eye Unai Emery
Oliver Glasner has emerged as a favourite to take over at Villa, if Emery does leave the club in the coming months.
There had been no questions about the manager’s future in the summer, despite a disappointing end to last season.
The Villans ultimately needed just one point on the final day to qualify for the Champions League, but were denied at Old Trafford after Emi Martinez’s red card.
But a summer in which Villa struggled against the profit and sustainability rules, followed by a struggling start to the season, has prompted discussions over Emery’s position at Villa Park.
| Aston Villa | 2025/26 – All competitions |
| Played | 8 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Scored | 6 |
| Conceded | 7 |
The last week, however, looked to put those conversations on hold. A managerial sacking elsewhere, though, could pull Villa back into uncertainty.
Saudi Arabian outlet Arriyadiyah reported on Sunday that Al Ittihad are looking at Emery amongst a few candidates to replace the outgoing Laurent Blanc.
Among those other candidates is former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, highlighting just how ambitious they are in their pursuit of a top name.
Blanc led the Saudi Pro League side to the league and cup double last season, but was dismissed after his side lost to Al Nassr on Friday.
The job is not finished for Emery at Villa
With Villa taking part in Emery’s favourite competition, the Europa League, this season, the Spaniard will likely think there is unfinished business for him at Villa Park.
The former Arsenal boss has won the competition on four different occasions, but has never won it with a club outside of Spain – coming closest when Arsenal lost the final to Chelsea in 2019.
But results will have to improve in the league too, with Villa’s owners unlikely to place all of their eggs in one basket whilst accepting a terrible league campaign.
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