Unai Emery's challenging tenure at Arsenal is a well-documented chapter in his managerial career, culminating in a controversial departure that left the club in disarray following a 1-1 draw with Vitoria Guimaraes. Reports from that period suggested that senior players mocked him for his accent and limited English proficiency, underscoring the difficulties he faced during his 18 months at the Emirates Stadium. However, since taking the helm at Aston Villa, Emery has undergone a remarkable transformation, establishing the team as a formidable force in the Premier League. Villa finished fourth last season and currently sit in eighth place, with the prospect of advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals on the horizon.
As Aston Villa prepare to host Celtic at Villa Park, Brendan Rodgers, who has faced Emery's teams on multiple occasions, has expressed his admiration for the Villa manager. Reflecting on Emery's achievements, Rodgers stated, “I think Unai's done a brilliant job here. His body of work over many years has been top class.” This sentiment highlights the significant progress Emery has made since his time at Arsenal.
Rodgers recalled the tactical challenges posed by Emery's teams, reflecting on particularly painful defeats, including a staggering 7-1 loss while managing Celtic. He remarked, “His teams are super organised,” acknowledging the meticulous nature of Emery's approach. Despite the struggles Emery faced at Arsenal, Rodgers asserted that his coaching credentials remain beyond question. “You only need to look at his body of work to see he was a top-class coach,” he added, praising Emery's resilience and determination to succeed in English football.
Both Aston Villa and Celtic have secured their places in the Champions League last 16, now facing the prospect of advancing further with a win in their next match. However, Celtic will be challenged by the absence of key defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, while Daizen Maeda is sidelined due to injury and Kyogo Furuhashi has transferred to Rennes, adding another layer of difficulty as they prepare to face a strong opponent.
Rodgers is acutely aware of the task ahead and highlighted the influence of Youri Tielemans at Villa. The midfielder scored the decisive goal in the 2021 FA Cup final, which marked Rodgers’ only trophy as Leicester City manager. “Youri was absolutely brilliant for me,” he noted, drawing parallels between Tielemans and his own captain at Celtic, Callum McGregor. “He'd be very much like Callum for me, where he was a coach on the pitch for me. His view of the game was absolutely first-class.”
In addition, Rodgers reminisced about his attempts to sign Villa captain John McGinn during his first stint at Celtic. Although that move did not materialise, McGinn has thrived at Villa Park. “He’s really thrived in the environment here,” he remarked, reflecting on McGinn's successful transition from the Championship to a key role at Aston Villa.
Despite achieving a top 24 finish in the revamped Champions League format, Rodgers remains keen to conclude the group stage with a performance that mirrors their recent form. “Our job is done in terms of getting into the 24, but it's certainly not complete,” he asserted. Looking ahead to the match, he expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to play in a prestigious venue, stating, “It's a beautiful pitch, it's a great arena, so we want to come and play to the best level that we can.”
As reported by MailOnline, the upcoming fixture promises to be an intense contest, with both teams eager to secure their place in the next round of the Champions League. With Emery's revitalisation of Aston Villa and Rodgers' respect for his counterpart, the match at Villa Park is set to be a compelling encounter in the European football calendar.