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Chess, lectures & ignoring noise: Emery masters Europe again

Aston Villa](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa) boss uses to hone the mental discipline required at football's highest level. And Emery is certainly the Europa League's grand master, having clinched the trophy yet again [with Villa

Spectacular European nights the new normal for Villa under Emery

players do now believe that they can make it to that final." ## 'We have learned something each year' ![Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League

Who will lead Real Madrid’s ‘revolution’ after Champions League exit?

first stint in charge from 2016 to 2018. His second stint, from 2019 to 2021, was not quite so successful, but given the dark days of soul searching ahead, perhaps only one of the club

‘King’ Emery hailed as Aston Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 in Europa League

players celebrate after winning the UEFA Europa League final football match between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on May 20, 2026. (Photo by YASIN AKGUL / AFP)](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AFP__20260520__B3JD2NH__v3__HighRes__TopshotFblEurC3FreiburgAstonVillaFinal-1779345792.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513&quality=80) Aston

Villa's nearly men entering their defining moment

Aston Villa**](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa)**'s squad are entering a defining moment under manager Unai Emery.** Trailing 1-0 going into Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against [Nottingham Forest](/sport/football/teams/nottingham-forest) ([20:00 BST](/sport/football/live/c0m2v0zzkgyt

Which Premier League players are out of contract this summer?

player out of contract. Hein has been on loan at Werder Bremen this season, following similar spells at Reading and Real Valladolid. ## Aston Villa Unai Emery has no immediate contract worries, with

Will 'bruised' Howe and Newcastle address problems in one window?

Aston Villa](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa), who admittedly exited both domestic cups earlier than [Newcastle](/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united), Howe's men struggled with the challenge of fighting on multiple fronts for so much of the season. Although there were brief

Sutton's predictions v boxing world champion Fabio Wardley

first half and it looked like City were pretty comfortable but then the game just took off near the end. They are still in the mix though, and I think they will put [Brentford](/sport/football/teams/brentford

Vibrant and victorious - Villa ready to end 30-year trophy drought

Aston Villa**](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa) **to win trophies.** In his first press conference in November 2022 the Spaniard's ambition was clear. It has taken a little over three years but Villa are nearly there. In front

Coventry's Lampard named LMA manager of the year

Aston Villa](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa)'s Unai Emery, [Bournemouth](/sport/football/teams/afc-bournemouth)'s Andoni Iraola, [Manchester City](/sport/football/teams/manchester-city)'s Pep Guardiola, Lincoln City's Michael Skubala and Bromley's Andy Woodman were also shortlisted. [Manchester City](/sport/football/teams/manchester-city)'s Andree

The Alonso dream may be over - but Salah's outburst keeps heat on Slot

Emery's vibrant [Aston Villa](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa) - who confirmed Champions League football next season with victory at Villa Park and who are in the Europa League Final - and porous, weak [Liverpool](/sport/football/teams/liverpool). And then came

Music & methods - why Forest could be Europa League favourites

Aston Villa**](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa)**'s dreams to chase their own?** They host their fellow Premier League side in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday as both sides look

France World Cup 2026 preview: Players to watch, group matches and squad

first game at the 2002 World Cup when the defending champions crashed out in the group stage. Iraq, ranked 57th, qualified through the intercontinental playoffs and should present a much easier prospect in France

Which side were remarkable? Who were a shambles? Phil McNulty's season review

Aston Villa](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa)? Back to the Champions League and the club's first trophy since 1996 with his fifth Europa League win. Emery's perfectionist streak makes his management of Villa a work

Emery denies Euro king talk but Villa boss could be crowned again

first European final for 44 years, since they lifted the European Cup, and to the brink of ending a 30-year trophy drought. The 54-year-old arrived at Villa in October 2022 declaring

Sutton's predictions v Blossoms & Songer

Aston Villa](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa) have got the Europa League final against Freiburg on Wednesday so what will Unai Emery do here? The last time Villa had a big European game coming up, against [Nottingham Forest](/sport/football/teams/nottingham-forest

Has tide turned for troubled Spurs under De Zerbi?

Aston Villa](/sport/football/teams/aston-villa) line-up was revealed - showing seven changes from the side that lost at [Nottingham Forest](/sport/football/teams/nottingham-forest) in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final - to the thunderous reception the players

'Where are you? Wow. It is so, so bad' - Emery's remarkable VAR rant

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was highly critical of the video assistant referee for not sending off Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson in two impassioned rants after his side's** [**1-0 loss

Two down, one to go - who will join Burnley & Wolves?

first time since 1977. Roberto de Zerbi's side are the 56.93% favourites to be relegated from here. ## What does the form suggest? Media caption, Farke delighted with hard-fought point at Bournemouth [Tottenham](/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur

The rise and rise of 'Meatball' McGinn

Emery's appointment as Aston Villa head coach, captain John McGinn was north of the border catching up with some old friends.** Some classic west of Scotland pessimism set in. "He's going to think