Danny Murphy ‘couldn’t believe’ what’s been said about Unai Emery after Aston Villa vs Burnley
Danny Murphy has hailed Unai Emery following Aston Villa’s fourth consecutive victory across all competitions.
Villa beat Burnley 2-1 on Sunday, after Donyell Malen took full advantage of a rare Premier League start to bag a brilliant brace.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s header put nerves in the Villans’ defence before the final whistle, but Emi Martinez‘s goal remained relatively untested.
With the win, Emery became the fastest-ever Villa manager to reach 80 wins, after just 150 games in charge at Villa Park.
Lamare Bogarde proved his class against Burnley, with the 21-year-old among several standouts for the Villans on 5 October.
Danny Murphy dismisses Unai Emery rumours
Emery had been under huge pressure at Villa, but the recent wins have dispelled any questions surrounding the Spaniard’s immediate future.
The former Arsenal boss is coming up to three years in charge of the Villans, and the difference he has made at the club has been exponential.
Villa had finished 14th in the Premier League in the year before Emery arrived, and were sitting 16th after 11 games when he took the reins.
| Unai Emery | Aston Villa |
| Matches | 150 |
| Wins | 80 |
| Draws | 29 |
| Losses | 41 |
| Scored | 260 |
| Conceded | 200 |
The end of the season would see the Spaniard’s team rise to seventh, and the following campaign would see them go three places better to qualify for the Champions League.
The start of the season has been a blip – that is for sure – but Emery has earned more than enough credit in the bank, regardless of doubts around his future.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day on Sunday, Murphy said: “Well, I couldn’t believe any rumours, or murmurs I should say, of discontent.
“This guy (Emery) is a brilliant manager. Great managers always find a way, and he’s got plenty of talent in the squad.
“It was only a matter of time before they started getting some wins. I expect Villa to kick on now.”
International break will allow Aston Villa to take stock
Despite enduring such a negative start to the season, the last four games have seen Villa left in a position that really is not as bad as it could have been.
Emery’s men sit 13th in the Premier League, and just three points behind sixth-placed Crystal Palace.
And in the Europa League, Villa have won both of their fixtures and are well on their way to qualification for the last 16 already.
Now in good form, Emery can get his team back where they should be after the international break – in the fight for the top six.
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