Unai Emery admits ‘difficult’ winter conversation sparked revival of £22m Aston Villa unsung hero

Unai Emery heaped praise on Nicolo Zaniolo after Aston Villa’s terrific 2-0 victory away at Arsenal, revealing a conversation had with the Italian sparked a vast improvement in form.

Zaniolo, signed in the summer on a £3 million loan from Galatasaray with a £19 million option-to-buy, struggled initially. The wide midfielder’s first touch was inconsistent, his finishing was poor, and crucially he didn’t track back as often as Emery demands.

Fast forward a few months, however, and the Italy international looks an entirely different prospect. Such a feat in itself is starting away at title challengers Arsenal but putting in the relentless shift he did was even more impressive.

Zaniolo, constantly a threat to Ben White down the left flank, was voted the man of the match by Villa fans, beating the ultra-impressive Emiliano Martinez, Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans to the accolade. Emery, delighted with his number 22, might have to consider a summer purchase.

“I am very happy for him. The beginning of the season was very difficult and the impression was not easy but I told you and told him one or two months ago and something changed,” Emery admitted during Sunday’s post-match press conference.

“He was focusing more and better, training more and better, focusing each match as well helping the team, playing 10 minutes, 20, 30, 45, 60, and today he showed it. We needed him, I told him before and today he showed us. From here until the end of the season, we will need these players available,” Emery continued.

The head coach couldn’t be more accurate about needing key men on form as Villa are approaching the crunch point of the 2023/24 term. An away trip to Lille in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League quarter-final awaits on Thursday before a must-win Premier League clash against the high-flying AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.