Aston Villa captain John McGinn hails Unai Emery as one of the club's 'greatest ever'

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·23 October 2024

Aston Villa captain John McGinn hails Unai Emery as one of the club's 'greatest ever'

Aston Villa captain has heaped praise on his manager Unai Emery following the club's 2-0 win over Bologna in last night's UEFA Champions League fixture. McGinn scored the opening goal to see Villa on their way to their third win from three attempts in the competition this season.

McGinn has claimed that everyone at the club is thrilled and excited about the progress they are making, as they sit fourth in the Premier League and top of the Champions League table after the first two months of the campaign. Well, when I say everyone, not quite.

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McGinn hails Unai Emery's management

The Villa skipper said that the one individual who doesn't allow himself to get excited and ahead of themselves is the man who has been the major contributor to the club's progress in the last two years, Unai Emery.

"I think the manager is the only person who does not get excited. He focuses his full energy all the time, like he says every single day, that he is demanding on us. He does not let us take our foot off the gas so we can use our energy, enthusiasm and the excitement we have but his determination and intensity is unmatched. "- John McGinn

McGinn added, 'No matter what happens between now and the time he eventually leaves the club, he will go down as one of our club's greatest managers'.

Aston Villa FC v Bologna FC 1909 - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

Unai Emery has now taken charge of 95 games at Aston Villa since his arrival in October 2022 and has won 53 of those games. He has drawn 17 and lost just 25 times as Villa boss. That gives him a win an outstanding win record of 56%. Compared to previously successful managers in Aston Villa's history, such as Dean Smith (40%), Martin O'Neill (42%), Sir George Ramsey (50%), and Tony Barton (46%) he is a cut above the rest. To have taken a Villa side in danger of relegation under previous manager Steven Gerrard, from the depths of despair to Champions League and Premier League title contenders (who knows?!) is remarkable.

When asked what Emery is like as a person, McGinn responded with:

"He is just so driven. I have never met anyone like him. No one can question what he puts in, the effort and everything which comes his way and our way is on the back of hard work. You feed off your leader. He is our leader and we feed off that. He is certainly improving a lot of us. There is a great feeling to the place."

Villa return to Premier League action this weekend as they face Bournemouth at Villa Park, knowing a win could see them finish the weekend in the top three.