How Jamie O'Hara has earned newfound respect at Aston Villa with Unai Emery debate

Jamie O'Hara has surprised everyone by backing up Aston Villa boss Unai Emery.

The Spaniard has had his fair share of positive reviews since stepping through the doors in B6.

There has been so few drawbacks to his reign at Villa Park.

European qualification every season, culminating in Europa League glory last season.

That represented the end of an era for many as a summer rebuild got underway.

Emery is facing a new challenge with the Villans, but that hasn't changed O'Hara's opinion.

Jamie O'Hara backs Unai Emery as Premier League's best

There has long been conversation about the best manager in the Premier League.

That has regularly been cut short due to the presence Pep Guardiola and his major success wherever he's been.

Things have changed this season with the ex-Barcelona boss departing Manchester City.

Emery is now right in the mix for those questions, even with Mikel Arteta winning his first league title with Arsenal last campaign.

That has put the latter at the front of the queue for many, with Jason Cundy being one of those.

Speaking live via talkSPORT on Wednesday, he stated: "He's [Arteta] the best manager in the league."

O'Hara wasn't having it as he snapped back, "He's not the best manager in the league, he had the best team. Unai Emery is.

"Unai Emery is an unbelievable manager for Aston Villa and for what he's done in his career. What he's done in Europe, he won last season, he won a trophy. It's an easy debate."

It is a surprise to see the former Tottenham man back the B6 boss up, but is he right?

Is Emery actually better than Mikel Arteta?

Based on experience alone, it is easy to say yes to this question.

Emery has five Europa League titles to his name, while having also won five titles in his time with Paris Saint-Germain.

Arguably his most impressive spell has come at Villa Park, where he has carried a struggling side away from a relegation battle to become Champions League regulars.

In nearly four years, the 54-year-old has overseen 112 wins with a 55 per cent win rate.

That has seen him defy expectations by getting into Europe's elite competition before then lifting silverware.

There lies the biggest difference compared to Arteta, as the former midfielder has only done what was expected at the Emirates.

He was brought in to bring glory back to North London, and after seven years, he did it last season.

That was certainly an achievement and has come off the back of 224 wins in 361 outings, marking a 62 per cent win rate.

The difference between Emery and Arteta is that the Villa boss has achieved so much despite his hands being regularly tied due to financial regulations.

That has been summed up by the most recent summer window.

By comparison, the Arsenal gaffer has spent upwards of £900million on players, so success hardly comes as a surprise.

Aston Villa fans will have a newfound respect for O'Hara and will feel that he's got this one spot on, although the debate will continue to rumble on.