2026/27 season preview: Villa approach new campaign with trepidation — but belief remains
19.08.26, 20:53 Updated 25.08.26, 12:19
Michael Plant
In the immediate aftermath of Aston Villa’s greatest night in 44 years, Unai Emery was bullish.
He had earned the right to be. The Spaniard was basking in the glow of Villa’s second major European trophy, a triumph he, more than anyone, was responsible for. It was Emery’s tactical mastery that turned a struggling Premier League outfit into a dominant continental force.
But as tends to be the case in football, before he could even begin to enjoy his fifth Europa League success, the question was posed: “What next?”
The response was emphatic. “Hopefully we can be close with teams like [Manchester] City and Arsenal,” Emery insisted.
Become a member today.
The Holte Roar needs its community to support independent, high-quality coverage of Aston Villa. Subscribe to a monthly or annual package today to be a part of something special.
Already have an account? Sign in
Related Topics
Michael Plant Freelance reporter. Nearly a decade's experience in the media industry and a former Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool club correspondent. A Villa fan from birth, Michael was born in Birmingham but grew up in Belfast.