Since Unai Emery arrived at Aston Villa in November 2022, he has transformed this team from a side that was fighting relegation to now consistently competing in European football.
Over the course of his tenure, he has won some fantastic games due to his incredible tactical mind. Villa now has an identity that they didn’t have under his predecessor. The love between the club and the supporters has been restored, and Villa are back where they belong.
Our Read Aston Villa team takes a look at his top five wins as Aston Villa manager:
5. Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United – November 2022
The very first game of Emery’s reign set the tone for things to come in the future. It caused a significant shift in mood around Villa Park, and began the breaking of club records that he has continued to do to this very day.
Leon Bailey scored the first goal of the Emery era in just seven minutes. He met Jacob Ramsey’s pass with a lovely first touch, which allowed him to get into the penalty area, before dispatching a rocket into the far corner.
A second quickly followed, with Lucas Digne’s sublime free-kick that perfectly nestled into the near post. Inside the first 15 minutes, Villa were 2-0 up, and supporters were jubilant.
Manchester United got one back just before half-time. Luke Shaw’s half-volley took a wicked deflection off Ramsey, completely changing the direction of the ball, passing Emiliano Martínez. Nerves set in going into the break as it looked like a repeat story was about to happen.
But this was a fresh chapter, a new Aston Villa.
The local boy made up for his own goal by extending the lead in the 49th minute. Calmness had been restored, and Villa comfortably held on to the 3-1 scoreline.
It marked their first home win over the Red Devils since 1995.
4. Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal – December 2023
A second win in three days saw Villa have one of their best weeks in the Premier League. Coming off a 1-0 win against Manchester City, another huge battle took place at Villa Park.
Arsenal arrived, looking to climb to the top of the table with a win against a high-flying Emery team, who were having a fantastic season at home.
It took just seven minutes for Villa to score the opener. They went from one end of the pitch to the other, with John McGinn neatly putting a shot into the top corner.
Whilst Mikel Arteta’s side had chances, Villa defended resolutely to hold on for the three points. The victory marked a new club-record of a 15th straight home league win for the first time since the 1930/31 campaign.
3. Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich – October 2024
It was the first Champions League game at Villa Park in over 40 years, and it became one of the most unforgettable. A fixture against the same opponents that they beat to win the 1982 European Cup created a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Keen to make a fast start, Pau Torres had a goal disallowed for offside in the 22nd minute. Villa had to be defensively resolute as Bayern Munich looked dangerous.
Martínez was forced into action with some fantastic saves that kept the Villans in it. The longer it remained at 0-0, the more it felt that they could nick it at the end.
With just 11 minutes to go, they took their one opportunity. From a routine goal-kick, Martínez played the ball to Torres, who, as he always does, looks for somebody making a run. Jhon Durán made one, holding off Upamencano. He received the ball, instinctively turned, and lifted the ball from nearly 30 yards out over Manuel Neuer.
The crowd erupted into chaos, and just as they did in 1982, Villa beat the German side 1-0.
2. Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City – December 2023
Aston Villa’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City was one of the most dominant displays against the now-former reigning champions. From start to finish, Villa controlled the game, nullifying the threat posed by City’s attack.
The Villans restricted Pep Guardiola’s side to just two shots in the full 90 minutes. Somehow, they only scored one themselves despite the constant pressure on goalkeeper Ederson.
Early chances saw the Brazilian have to make a couple of sharp stops, as it looked like it was only a matter of time before Villa were to put one past him.
Bailey’s deflected shot eventually broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, but it was the luck they had deserved.
After the game, Guardiola accepted that the “better team won” and that at the time, Emery’s side were title contenders.
1. Aston Villa 3-2 PSG – April 2025
15th April 2025 will be remembered for a long time in Villa supporters’ minds. The night when the impossible almost became possible.
Heading into the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final, Villa were 3-1 down on aggregate to PSG. An electric start was needed to give them a chance at booking their place in the semi-finals.
That, however, did not happen. The French giants scored two goals within the first 30 mins and the Villans were staring down the barrel at a 5-1 deficit.
When hope was beginning to dwindle, Youri Tielemans got one back, and Villa headed into the break knowing they had to come out swinging.
Emery’s side started the second half brightly. They just needed one chance to put PSG under pressure. That chance came in the 55th minute when McGinn dribbled from his own half, shrugging off opposition tackles and hit an audacious 20-yard strike that beat Donnarumma in goal.
Marcus Rashford forced a super save a couple of minutes later, and from the resulting corner, Ezri Konsa slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 3-2 (5-4 on aggregate).
The atmosphere was deafening, and the supporters started to believe. Villa threw absolutely everything at PSG, but just couldn’t find a way to score the equaliser.
Although they were beaten, it was one of the most memorable nights in their 152-year history. It is the game that showed everyone that Villa could compete with the best clubs in the world.
