Unai Emery aims for calmer summer as Aston Villa seek to avoid repeat of last year’s issues | OneFootball

Unai Emery wants a smoother summer at Aston Villa to steer clear of the uncertainty that marred the start of this season. According to ExpressAndStar.com, the head coach is hopeful similar problems will not arise again as the club again balance financial regulations.

Villa failed to win any of their first six matches in all competitions after a constrained window, with spending limited by Premier League and UEFA financial fair play rules.

They then surged to finish fourth and lift the Europa League, ending a 30-year wait for a major trophy.

After his best season yet, Emery said they encountered early difficulties last time and hope to avoid them, adding that a top-five finish underlined their direction. He stressed the need to keep balance between ambition and realism, particularly when competing with wealthier rivals.

This is the first summer since Roberto Olabe replaced Monchi as president of football operations. Renowned from his Real Sociedad tenure for identifying leading young talent, Olabe will be asked to replicate that work in Birmingham.

Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye is among targets as Emery looks to add pace in attack. He also wants a midfielder and a defender capable of covering right centre-back and right-back.

Villa have chosen not to activate the £23 million option to buy Douglas Luiz, who will return to parent club Juventus.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com