Jamie Carragher lauds 'elite' Aston Villa boss Unai Emery as Wolves tipped to keep key player

We’re just a week away from the end of the summer transfer window. It has been a period of mixed fortunes for Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers - what is circulating in the rumour mill today?

Jamie Carragher has recently been full of praise for Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery. He considers the Spaniard to be an ‘elite’ level manager and is ‘surprised’ that other clubs have not come in for him.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for a young midfielder who currently plays for Wolves. While this seemed to be the case, it now appears that the Lilywhites will not be looking to sign the player as per a recent update on the situation. Instead, they will look towards other options in the market.

Jamie Carragher is ‘surprised’ that ‘elite clubs’ did not try to sign Unai Emery

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is a fan of Unai Emery. So much so, he is ‘surprised’ that no clubs at the elite level tried to sign him up over the course of the summer. Furthermore, he also feels that Emery has transformed Villa into a Premier League ‘heavyweight’ club.

In the Daily Telegraph, Carragher wrote: “The Spaniard’s unhappy spell at Arsenal should be a distant memory. Fortunately for Villa, it would appear it isn’t for rival Premier League and European clubs. One of the surprises of the summer is how few of the elite teams seeking a new coach made a pitch for Emery.

“He would have been capable of taking over at Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Chelsea, while Manchester United must have considered his qualities during that period when they were contemplating whether to keep faith with Erik ten Hag. Based on his experience and CV, Emery is second only to Guardiola as the most accomplished and successful coach currently working in the Premier League.

“But it still surprised me that there was not a stronger push for his services from those head-hunting because it will be hard for Villa to replicate what they did last year given the extra demands of Champions League football. Their squad does not have the necessary depth.

“Because of Emery, Arsenal versus Villa feels like a heavyweight Premier League battle where Arteta’s side dare not slip up if they are to prove they can take the fight to City again.”

Spurs are ‘not’ seeking deal for Wolves’ Joao Gomes

Previously, Tottenham had been linked with a move for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes - now, according to Alasdair Gold, the Lilywhites will not be pursuing a move for the Portuguese wonderkid.

Speaking to Football London, Gold said: “I mentioned the other day that Spurs are not believed to be in for Joao Gomes. I think the club will continue to look at various positions over the next 10 days or so to add depth if they can, but I think Postecoglou is also very keen to let Gray and Bergvall loose on the Premier League and both can play in that role.”