Where Aston Villa's Unai Emery ranks in elite Premier League list after Eddie Howe exit

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery will be impacted by the news of Eddie Howe's Newcastle United exit.

It's being widely reported on Thursday that Howe has left his position as Newcastle manager.

The Magpies have sold a number of key players this summer, and despite making four new signings of their own, many fans are dismayed by their club's transfer approach.

Howe had taken charge of 231 competitive matches as Newcastle boss, winning 116, drawing 43 and losing 72.

The 48-year-old also guided Toon to a memorable League Cup win in 2024-25, providing the club with their first major domestic trophy since 1955.

As such, he must be remembered as one of Newcastle's most impactful and successful managers of the modern era, as evidenced by how long he'd been in the job.

How many days in charge had separated Unai Emery and Eddie Howe?

Villa News has previously covered reports of Emery potentially being headhunted from Aston Villa in the past, but most of those fears have largely subsided now.

Unlike Howe, the 54-year-old doesn't appear to be leaving anytime soon, with his contract at Villa Park running through to the summer of 2029.

Howe's departure from Newcastle does indeed have a ripple effect on Emery too, as his position in the current longest-serving Premier League manager's list has now changed.

As of Thursday 30 July 2026, Mikel Arteta tops the chart with 2,412 days in charge of Arsenal, as he was appointed on 22 December 2019.

Second in the list was Howe, who up until Thursday had taken charge of the Magpies for 1,725 days from his 8 November 2021 hiring.

Then came Emery in third, who has 1,363 days in charge of Aston Villa from 5 November 2022, meaning he know jumps up to second behind Arteta.

Taking Emery's place is Leeds United gaffer Daniel Farke, who has ruled at Elland Road for 1,122 days following his 4 July 2023 appointment.

But how has Emery fared against Howe when they've met in English football, and will the Villa boss be happy to see him go as a result?

Why Emery will probably be indifferent to Howe's exit

Some manager's love playing against certain gaffers due to them historically getting the better of their opposite number.

In the case of Emery and Howe, however, that's not really been the case.

As detailed via Transfermarkt, the two bosses have faced off 11 times in all competitions during their respective time in English football, with 10 of those coming in the Premier League.

Of those 11 meetings, Emery has been on the winning side six times, whilst Howe has claimed four victories over the Spaniard, with only one game ending in a draw.

But, Emery has had the relative beating of Howe in recent times, with his Villa side losing just one of the last four against Newcastle, winning twice and drawing once.

So, with track record of dominance on either side, Emery probably won't be overly fussed about Howe not being Newcastle boss any longer, although he will obviously be sad for his fellow coaching comrade.