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He guided Aston Villa to fourth in the Premier League in his first full season and took them to the Champions League quarter-finals last term.
Yet in his fourth year in charge at Villa Park, Unai Emery is putting together a masterpiece to rival anything he has achieved since taking over in autumn 2022. Boubacar Kamara’s brilliant second-half strike briefly put them third in the table ahead of Chelsea’s meeting with Arsenal.
Beating winless Wolves at home may not seem that much but this was the seventh victory in eight league games – a remarkable achievement in the context of what happened in the summer and during the early part of the campaign.
At that time, Villa looked close to a rabble on and off the field. They did not score in the league until more than a month into the season. Emery and the players were unhappy at the summer recruitment and spirits in the camp were low. At that stage, simply finishing in the top 10 looked like it would be a struggle.
Yet through his dedication, ferocious attention to detail and strength of will (without forgetting a few hefty pay rises for key players), Emery has not only stopped the slide but reversed it. The next two fixtures – at Brighton in midweek and at home to Arsenal next weekend – will be much tougher but Villa are a force again under Emery.
‘Of course I was worried and I was responsible,’ said Emery. I tried to share my worries with the players two months ago and we are remembering it every day. The most important thing is how the players responded, because if they were not responding in the way I wanted it would be impossible.’
Boubacar Kamara’s brilliant second-half strike briefly put them third in the table ahead of Chelsea’s meeting with Arsenal
In his fourth year in charge at Villa Park, Unai Emery is putting together a masterpiece to rival anything he has achieved since taking over in autumn 2022.
What Edwards can learn
Wolves owners know it, the players and fans know it – and so does new coach Rob Edwards. Barring a miracle, Wolves will be in the Championship next season and there will be a lot to repair to give them a chance of coming straight back up.
‘It’s not an easy situation to be in and it affects our lives,’ admitted striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. ‘We’re big lads and we’re trying our best. I want the fanbase to keep believing. Hopefully things turn for us now.’
Wolves have only two points and Edwards admits he wants to ‘change the channel’ when he sees the league table, but he can look to Emery for inspiration. He lacks the experience of the Basque, not to mention the quality in his squad. Yet Emery’s work at Villa this term proves that worrying situations can be rectified relatively quickly as long as they are approached the right way by the whole club.
Wolves were unlucky here. Strand Larsen had a goal ruled out in the first half when John Arias was judged to have been impeding Amy Martinez while in an offside position. Strand Larsen went close on two more occasions and Martinez tipped Yerson Mosquera’s header onto the bar. It will take far but this was at least a sign that Edwards’ message is starting to get through.
In their 5-3-2 system, Wolves looked better organized that any time this season and carried a threat going the other way
Marvelous Martinez
A great deal has happened since Martinez left the field in tears after Villa had beaten Tottenham in their final home game of last season. The Argentine was very eager to leave Villa this summer and although the transfer did not happen, there is not quite the same warmth between Martinez, the club and the fans.
Ezri Konsa has been vice-captain this term when John McGinn has not featured, and Martinez is no longer announced as ‘the world’s No1’ before every home game. It would be no surprise if he left after the World Cup.
What has not changed, however, is Martinez’s ability to make improbable saves. Close to half-time, he pushed Jorgen Strand Larsen’s effort behind and from Andre’s corner, Yerson Mosquera saw his header pushed against the underside of the bar.
Martinez enjoyed that one, raising a fist in celebration. The Holte End responded with ‘the world’s No1’ chant, and repeated it when Martinez kept out a low drive from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde early in the second half. He did it again in stoppage time to deny Joao Gomes. Maybe they still love each other after all.
It was a bleaker day for Martinez’s fellow Argentine Amy Buendia, however. The attacker was substituted early in the second half and headed straight down the tunnel.
Emiliano Martinez produced an outstanding save to remind everyone at Villa Park of his immense quality
Jorgen Strand Larsen has been unable to discover the form that prompted Newcastle to bid £55million for his services in the summer
Strikers’ frustration
Although Strand Larsen’s form last year was good enough to draw a bid of £55 million from Newcastle in the summer, he cannot rediscover that rhythm. The Norwegian at least looked dangerous but given his size, he is still frustratingly flimsy in the physical duels.
Donyell Malen was handed a rare start in the league for Villa but did not make the impact he has managed in the Europa League fixtures. As for Ollie Watkins, who was relegated to the bench and came on in the second half, he looks desperately short of confidence. Who knows, perhaps a move in January will be best for all parties. It would give Villa room to sign a forward and allow Watkins to push again for a World Cup spot.