Credit: Tung Manh Phan, Breaking Media

James Barker

Sat 16 May 2026 8:00, UK

Damian Vidagany has hit out at the Premier League for not including Aston Villa boss Unai Emery for the manager of the season shortlist.

Aston Villa have now booked their place in next season’s Champions League, after defeating Liverpool at Villa Park on Friday night.

It was another memorable evening at B6, as goals from Morgan Rogers, John McGinn and an Ollie Watkins double saw the Villans enjoy a comprehensive victory over Arne Slot’s side.

Villa now go into Wednesday night’s Europa League final against Freiburg full of confidence, and they are sure to be firm favourites to lift the trophy in Istanbul.

It’s been another superb season for Aston Villa, and after the Villans’ win over Liverpool, Villa chief Vidagany penned a passionate message of pride in the team, and frustration towards the Premier League.

What did Damian Vidagany say after Aston Villa vs Liverpool?

Emery is an expensive manager, but Aston Villa won’t mind paying him the big bucks as he continues to deliver success at Villa Park.

Indeed, the Spaniard has now helped Villa qualify for European football in four-straight campaigns, with the 54-year-old never failing to get the club in some form of continental cup football during his time in the West Midlands.

That’s a fantastic achievement given that Villa don’t have the same spending power as many of the other top clubs in the division, as well as having to contend with well-documented PSR challenges in recent times as well.

Emery is a beloved figure at Villa Park, and writing to his X account after the win over Liverpool, Villa’s director of football operations, Vidagany, made that abundantly clear.

“Injuries, no a f…penalty for us in one year, biggest investment in the history for the bigger budget clubs, playing Thursday / Sunday 2 pm… well CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!,” he wrote.

“No excuses culture a great group of committed players and the best manager (yes EPL the best manager shame on Your list) UTV.

“Next stop Istanbul!!!! See you there lads!!!! One more push, more desire and ambition than ever!!!”

Which coaches were nominated for manager of the season?

You have to say, for Emery not to be shortlisted for the Premier League’s manager of the season award is fairly ludicrous.

Six top-flight coaches have been put up for the honour, which with all due respect to each of them, and this isn’t to say they aren’t deserving of being nominated, but there hasn’t been six better gaffers than Emery this term.

Brentford’s Keith Andrews, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Man United’s Michael Carrick, Man City’s Pep Guardiola, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris respectively, are this season’s nominees.

All excellent coaches and all of whom have performed brilliantly in their respective roles, but Emery is without doubt deserving of a place on that list too.