Emery confirms talks with Aston Villa over a new contract

Unai Emery has confirmed that he is in talks with Aston Villa over signing a new contract. The English club’s manager also acknowledged that his name had been linked with several other teams, including Manchester United, as discussions about his future continue.

Aston Villa announced on Wednesday that a meeting would be held to discuss the club’s long-term strategy beyond 2029, when Emery’s current contract expires. Club president Nassef Sawiris took part in discussions about the team’s future. Emery, for his part, set out his ambitions at a press conference on Friday: « My ambition is to maintain continuity, keep progressing and build many positive things; it is a great challenge. »

The manager also spoke about the club’s plans for Villa Park. « After discussions with us last year, the club decided to build a new stand to increase the number of supporters at Villa Park, and that is a clear step forward for progress », he said. Emery also outlined the financial approach he wants the club to maintain: « We are working to increase our budget every year and grow our revenues through our results, our participation in European competitions and the development of players, followed by their sale and the recruitment of young talents. That is the process and ambition we must preserve in the future. »

Emery described his meeting with Nassef Sawiris as « very good » and « very positive ». He said they would speak again next week to try to reach agreement on the matters they had discussed. « We have already talked about how to strengthen our project through a new agreement », he added. Emery also revealed that further meetings were planned for next week as Aston Villa seeks to keep him for as long as possible. He previously coached Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

The talks come ahead of Aston Villa’s trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. Aston Villa is unbeaten in its last five league matches, but has lost its last six games at Old Trafford. Emery recalled that run, saying: « We haven’t won there for 4 years. » Of the upcoming opponents, he said Manchester United had lacked consistency in the league but needed to regain its level, adding: « I hope that doesn’t happen against us. »