Tammy Abraham reveals why Unai Emery is Aston Villa genius – it’s not his tactics
Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham believes they key to Unai Emery’s success lies in allowing his players to be themselves.
Emery has been a revelation for Aston Villa since being appointed manager in November 2022, following the reign of Steven Gerrard.
Since then, Villa have finished seventh, fourth and sixth in the Premier League under the Spaniard, who has built a platform at Villa Park that should see the club competing for silverware for many years to come.
And, in a winter window this year that saw just four first-team signings made, Abraham was one of two Aston Villa reunions made, with Douglas Luiz also returning to B6.
Why Tammy Abraham thinks Unai Emery is a top coach
There is a long list of players that can say they’ve improved their game working under Emery in the West Midlands.
Morgan Rogers has developed from a Championship talent with Middlesbrough into one of the Premier League’s best attacking midfielders, and is now a regular England international too.
Ian Maatsen, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Amadou Onana, John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia and even goalkeeper Emi Martinez have all taken big strides in their respective games under the ex-Villarreal boss too.
Speaking in a BBC Sport interview with Dion Dublin ahead of the Newcastle game, Abraham waxed lyrical about Emery, and revealed why he believes the 54-year-old has an advantage over other coaching rivals.
“He understands us. I think he’s a man manager,” Abraham said of Emery when asked by Dublin what it is about the Villa boss that makes him so good.
“And you know, when it’s time to have fun, have a laugh about, he’s in the middle of that. He allows us to be ourselves.
“The only thing he tells us is, when we’re out there on the training pitch or in meetings, concentrate, focus, go hard, and the players have definitely gotten to grips with that, and I think that’s why we’re doing so well.”
Dublin then asked Abraham: “Has he got an edge?”, to which the Villa striker replied: “He definitely does. I’ve seen it.”
- Read more: Unai Emery in line to join elite list of Aston Villa managers with victory over Newcastle United
Abraham reveals when first Emery contact was made
Abraham forever earned himself cult hero status for firing in 26 goals during his loan spell with Aston Villa in 2018-19, in a season that saw Villa win promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Ever since then, many Villa fans have been dreaming about seeing the 28-year-old back in B6, but opportunities in Italian football with the likes of Roma and AC Milan were too good to turn down.
That doesn’t mean that all the while both he nor Villa have been eyeing up a potential return, and Abraham has now revealed that Emery first contacted him pretty much right at the start of his Villa Park reign.
Speaking in the same BBC Sport interview, Abraham said: “I’ve spoken to him (Emery) for a few years now.
“I think the first time I had a phone call with him I was in Rome, I think about three or four years ago.
“It’s nice to know that he’s been keen on me. He’s wanted me. And you know, as a manager, I’ve always looked up to and I’ve always admired.”
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