The 16-hour days and $33m revolution behind PL dark horse’s absurd revival

When Unai Emery was unveiled as Aston Villa’s manager, he declared two dreams: one was to win a trophy and the other was to bring European back to Villa Park.

At the time, the latter sounded far-fetched.

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After all, he inherited a team sitting 16th devoid of confidence and direction.

A toxic atmosphere had engulfed the club as supporters turned on then-manager Steven Gerrard, who sank deeper and deeper into his seat in the dugout with each passing defeat.

Co-owner Nassef Sawiris soon had enough of Gerrard’s ineptitude and brutally wielded the axe on the Liverpool legend before the team had even left Craven Cottage after a 3-0 defeat to Fulham on October 20.

It was also Sawiris who led the charm offensive for Emery and eventually convinced the Spaniard to make the jump to Birmingham.

Emery’s impact was immediate.

A 3-1 win over Manchester United at home in his first game in charge set the tone for what was to come, as Emery went on to guide Villa all the way from 16th to 7th and subsequently secure a spot in the Europa Conference League last season.

This season, Emery has Villa in 4th and just two points off top spot yet it somehow feels as if the club is flying under the radar.

But Emery’s transformation can no longer go ignored and is slowly but surely receiving the recognition it deserves.

This is how the meticulous 52-year-old dragged a giant on its knees all the way to dreaming about Champions League nights, something Villa have not experienced since winning the European Cup in 1982.

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