Unai Emery reflects on his Arsenal tenure and shares his ambitious goals for Aston Villa, including European football and a title challenge.

• Unai Emery describes his time at Arsenal as a “complete and very beautiful year.”
• Emery’s ambitious goals for Aston Villa include winning a title and playing in European competitions.
• The Aston Villa manager praises fellow Spanish managers Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

Since taking over the managerial position at Villa, Unai Emery has propelled the team from 17th to 6th place in the Premier League (level on points with Spurs), breaking historical records in the process.

Speaking to AS in Spain, Emery has shared his thoughts on his time as Arsenal manager and discussed his current project at Aston Villa.

Reflecting on his time at Arsenal, Emery believes his year with the club was a complete and beautiful experience. He stated, “Arsenal had a complete and very beautiful year. We were fighting until the last game to finish in the top four and we lost a Europa League final against Chelsea.”

Emery is now hoping to achieve those objectives at Aston Villa after admitting he is better prepared for the Premier League than when he was with Arsenal.

“They are circumstances and moments,” Emery said about the number of Spanish coaches in the league. “There is a reality right now: the Spanish coach is in a very powerful cultural process. 

“In Spain we have many ways of being good. There are certain countries that are ahead of us because, for example, they have more internalised English as a second language.

“The Portuguese have been going out to direct for a long time for this very reason.

“In Spain we are now doing it. We are being able to respond to the level of competitive demand. 

“I myself am better prepared now than when I was at Arsenal, and better than when I was in Moscow or Paris. At Villarreal I internalised the Spanish league a lot, but I did not forget the challenges of wanting to go out one day and be better prepared for it.”

Emery’s focus at Aston Villa is to build a solid foundation over the next three to four years, with the goal of winning a title and playing in Europe.

He said, “The goal I have set for myself is twofold: try to win a title and try to play in Europe with Aston Villa.”

He is aware that maintaining their position among the likes of Liverpool, Brighton, and Tottenham is the most challenging step. However, Emery remains confident and is determined to establish Aston Villa as a regular contender in the top six.

Discussing his managerial career, Emery admitted that he has been fortunate to work with three clubs in Spain at the highest level: Valencia, Sevilla, and Villarreal. However, breaking into the top three Spanish clubs, Atlético, Madrid, and Barcelona, is very difficult. He explained, “The Premier [League] gives me the opportunity to continue growing.”

Emery also praised his fellow Spanish managers in the Premier League, including Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta. He expressed his admiration for Guardiola, saying, “He is the best coach I have ever met.”

Emery also mentioned that Arteta has the advantage of having played football in England, which helps him adapt to the local culture.

With Aston Villa currently sitting in a strong position in the Premier League, Unai Emery’s ambition and drive could see the club continue to progress and challenge the top teams in the coming seasons.