Aston Villa to copy Man United as Bayern Munich and Barcelona dealt blow

Unai Emery has reaffirmed his commitment to Aston Villa by agreeing to a new long-term contract.

The 52-year-old has overseen a remarkable transformation at Villa Park since replacing Steven Gerrard. Villa were battling relegation before his arrival but he went on to secure European football and the club are currently on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Emery’s work has not gone amiss in the Midlands with several clubs said to be interested. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are both on the hunt for new managers this summer after Xavi and Thomas Tuchel made their departures known to the public.

Both European giants though will have to look elsewhere after Emery extended his stay. The Athletic report that Emery has extended his contract until 2027. He is ‘happy’ at the club and will sit down in the summer with the Spaniard. Villa’s hierarchy see him becoming ‘their’ version of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sir Alex of course managed Man United for 27-years and made them the all-conquering team that they once were. Under his stewardship they won 12 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and five FA Cups.

Emery could win silverware with Villa this season as they juggle their league campaign with Europe. They face Greek side Olympiacos in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League after overcoming French outfit Lille. If they do win the competition they will automatically qualify for the Europa League, but that looks a given already through the league route.

Villa are six points ahead of Spurs in fourth in the race for a Champions League spot though the North London club do have two games in hand. Emery’s men hold a 16-point gap over Newcastle United who would get the other Europa League spot.

The news of Emery’s proposed new deal comes after he batted away rumours linking him to Bournemouth at the weekend. He was questioned following the victory about the Allianz Arena vacancy, and said: “"I am focused here, 100 per cent."