Aston Villa have undergone a dramatic transformation under Unai Emery's management, shifting from a black and white approach to full colour. The club's new head coach brought with him a 24/7 approach, willingness to roll up his sleeves and get on with the task, which wasn't just tweaking tactics but changing the way players thought about football.
Emery's vision was to create a protective circle of loyal colleagues around him, people who understand him deeply, anticipate his needs, and clear the path for him. He met his squad for the first time in the gym, flanked by his 10 assistants, and announced that he was not happy with the state of the team.
"We've gone from black and white football to full colour," a statement heard in the first-team canteen reflected the team's newfound approach. Senior players like Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, and Lucas Digne emerged as leaders, embracing the change and their enthusiasm becoming contagious.
Emery's time at Arsenal was marked by a winless run of seven games, but his experience and reputation eventually earned him a move to Villarreal, where he led the club to victory in the 2020-21 Europa League. His appointment at Aston Villa came after the club agreed to pay his release clause.
Since taking over at Villa Park, Emery has made significant changes to the team's style and approach, introducing a more cohesive and effective system that has seen them move up the Premier League table. The transformation from black and white to full colour reflects the shift in Emery's vision for the club, one that prioritizes creativity, patience, and control over the frantic 100mph football that dominated the game before his arrival.
Emery's commitment to his philosophy is evident in every aspect of his management style, from the way he works with his assistants to the time he spends in the gym with his players. The outcome has been a marked improvement in Villa's performances, and the team's fans are beginning to see a new light at Villa Park.
The journey has not been without its challenges, but Emery's determination and passion for the game have kept him and his team on track. As he continues to shape Villa into a force to be reckoned with in English football, one thing is certain β Unai Emery has awakened the giant at Aston Villa, and it will never be seen in black and white again.
Emery's vision was to create a protective circle of loyal colleagues around him, people who understand him deeply, anticipate his needs, and clear the path for him. He met his squad for the first time in the gym, flanked by his 10 assistants, and announced that he was not happy with the state of the team.
"We've gone from black and white football to full colour," a statement heard in the first-team canteen reflected the team's newfound approach. Senior players like Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, and Lucas Digne emerged as leaders, embracing the change and their enthusiasm becoming contagious.
Emery's time at Arsenal was marked by a winless run of seven games, but his experience and reputation eventually earned him a move to Villarreal, where he led the club to victory in the 2020-21 Europa League. His appointment at Aston Villa came after the club agreed to pay his release clause.
Since taking over at Villa Park, Emery has made significant changes to the team's style and approach, introducing a more cohesive and effective system that has seen them move up the Premier League table. The transformation from black and white to full colour reflects the shift in Emery's vision for the club, one that prioritizes creativity, patience, and control over the frantic 100mph football that dominated the game before his arrival.
Emery's commitment to his philosophy is evident in every aspect of his management style, from the way he works with his assistants to the time he spends in the gym with his players. The outcome has been a marked improvement in Villa's performances, and the team's fans are beginning to see a new light at Villa Park.
The journey has not been without its challenges, but Emery's determination and passion for the game have kept him and his team on track. As he continues to shape Villa into a force to be reckoned with in English football, one thing is certain β Unai Emery has awakened the giant at Aston Villa, and it will never be seen in black and white again.