Aston Villa

Here is some more of your reaction to the news Unai Emery has signed a five-year contract until 2029 with Aston Villa.

James: This is absolutely fantastic news. He is the central pillar around which all beside him turn. His impact, influence and inspiration are what have given a group of capable players the belief to unleash their potential and discover a winning ethos which previously lay dormant.

Daniel: It says a lot about Unai's connection with the Villa that, despite there being umpteen managerial vacancies at big clubs this summer, no-one has approached him because they know he wouldn't leave.

SuperVillan: Great background staff, supporting our manager and team will take us higher even. This is because our owners are willing to pay the price for the best in every position - from tea person upwards.

Rob: Villa are building and has been since NSWE took control in 2019 and guided us back to the Premier League under Deano. Gerrard was a mistake and the previous CEO paid for that little ego trip with his job. They weren't about to make that same mistake again and, now they have a top, top coach, they want to keep him to build a dynasty. Champions League qualification was not an accident. UTV.

Peter: It’s like winning the cup - one of the best managers around and he’s ours! Smart move by the owners! Great times ahead, and we now need to watch for the surprise transfer they’ve probably been working behind the scenes on!

Isaac: Five years? Should have been for the next 30 if you ask me! Emery is a brilliant manager and has bought nothing but joy to Villa park. Next season will be a blast!

Aston Villa are not interested in another move for Barcelona centre-back Clement Lenglet, 28. The Frenchman has just finished a season-long loan at Villa Park. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

We asked for your reaction to the news Unai Emery has signed a five-year deal to extend his contract at Aston Villa until 2029.

Will: Best signing of the summer window! He has worked total wonders for Villa and is a true gentleman and will lead the club forwards on and off the pitch.

Dave: Wonderful news that every single Villa fan will be cheering. Quite simply, there is no one better to do the job, and the added lure of stability and Champions League will retain our best and recruit players who can strengthen us. We're in a great place and looking upwards.

Alan: Great news for the club especially with so many managerial vacancies not only here but around the rest of Europe. The Champions League will be a vastly different experience to the Conference League and Villa need to try to keep a very good squad fit and hopefully one or two additions in key areas.

Kuldip: Unai has almost absolute footballing control of the club. More importantly he is trusted by the hierarchy to continue the progression. He would not get anything like the same control across Europe. He knows and respects this. With the eventual demise of Man City Post Guardiola and the stagnation of Liverpool and Man Utd, Villa will win the league.

Stephen: Emery is right up there with the top names in football management. He’s proven he can handle the Premier League. He bettered what he did at Arsenal and they never gave him any time. It’s fantastic for Villa in every aspect. I am surprised but happy he hasn’t been mentioned for any of the top jobs like Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona.

If these times weren’t thrilling enough for Villa fans, Unai Emery committing his long-term future is a huge post season boost.

This news was not necessarily expected but if it comes with a wage increase, it’s thoroughly deserved following a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League and securing Champions League football for Villa after more than 40 years away from the top European competition.

It’s also reassuring for supporters. There haven’t been any signs that the 52-year-old wants to be anywhere else but success ignites interest and the Spaniard is an ambitious, serial winner. Crucially though, he has said he feels "at home" at Villa Park and it’s clear he calls the shots. The club’s owners have full faith in him to lead how he wants to and the players have become his disciples. Most excitingly, the project isn’t over here. The manager has said upon signing his new deal, there is "no limit to our dreams" and Villa fans are living it right now.

What do you think of the Emery deal? Tell us here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa undoubtedly want to bolster their squad this summer after the superb achievement of reaching the Champions League – but the news that manager Unai Emery has agreed a new five-year contract is the most vital signature of all.

Emery extended his currently deal until 2027 in April but this was always with the intention of a longer-term extension once the season finished. Villa have wasted no time in tying up their inspirational manager for the future.

The Spaniard has overseen a stunning rejuvenation of Villa since succeeding sacked Steven Gerrard in October 2022, first guiding them into the Europa Conference League at the end of that campaign before putting the 1982 European Cup winners back in the elite group with a fourth place finish in the Premier League.

Emery’s new contract is a sign of ambition from Villa’s owners but also an indication of the faith he has in them, in partnership with long-time cohort, president of football operations Monchi.

Villa’s followers would almost certainly have settled for a move one rung up the ladder to the Europa League at the start of the season just past, the fact Emery has taken them into the Champions League was beyond their most optimistic expectations.

Emery has put Villa ahead of schedule but there will be no complaints as they mix in with the Champions League big names for the first time. They will feel confident of making an impact under a manager with such pedigree in the European environment.

He has already assumed hero status at Villa Park and it will be a source of joy to everyone as the club that Emery has now signed up until 2029.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa can progress with "no limits to our dreams", says manager Unai Emery after the Spaniard signed a new five-year contract.

The 52-year-old, who joined Villa in October 2022, has won plaudits for the team's transformation as they reached the Champions League qualification places this term.

Chairman Nassef Sawiris said: “We are building something special here at Aston Villa with Unai at its core and we are delighted that he has signed a new deal with the club until 2029.

“As we move into our historic, 150th anniversary year, there is a lot to look forward to with Unai at the helm.”

Emery said: “There’s a great chemistry in Aston Villa. And the element of the fans’ support also makes the difference to feel like home. We are really excited to continue this journey with no limits to our dreams.”

What do you think of the news? What can Emery achieve in five years? Tell us here, external

Aston Villa have agreed a two-year deal, with the option of a further year, with 30-year-old English midfielder Ross Barkley, who can leave Luton Town after their relegation from the Premier League. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Image source, Reuters

How closely have you been paying attention to the Villa's outstanding Premier League season?

Check out our bespoke quiz - and see if your knowledge is in order.

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For all the club Premier League quizzes, head here

Aston Villa are considering terminating the contract of midfielder Philippe Coutinho. (Givemesport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Has it been a season of progress, stagnation or indifference?

Progression – turbocharged. Villa’s achievement in reaching the European places last season was remarkable enough, only six months after Unai Emery’s arrival, but at the start of this campaign you wondered if their squad could handle both raised expectations and an expanded fixture list. They did rather more than just cope – they revelled in it.

Biggest success for club this season?

There were some extraordinary results. The twin victories against Manchester City and Arsenal at Villa Park within four days in December were performances of differing character but equally high class, surpassed only by their win at the Emirates Stadium in April. There were memorable European nights too. But perhaps the biggest success of all is the restoration of lost prestige, as one of England’s grandest old clubs regained its seat at the high table.

Biggest let down or frustration?

There has scarcely been a cloud in sight for Villa fans, really, but there may be a few small regrets that they didn’t claim the Conference League trophy for which they were heavy favourites from the start. By the time of the semi-final, Villa were all but exhausted. But the fans who were preparing for a return trip to Athens next week have the ample consolation of at least four Champions League trips in prospect later in the year.

Key item on the summer agenda?

Villa sustained their effort admirably – especially after losing two key players with the season barely started – but always seemed close to the edge, one more ill-timed injury to the wrong player away from serious consequences. They may not exceed this season’s total of 56 games next time round, but the standards demanded will be even higher. Can Villa, while remaining mindful of the spending rules, expand the squad without diluting the quality?

What do you think? How can Villa strengthen for the Champions League?

Let us know, external

We asked you to select your Aston Villa player of the season from the four candidates chosen by our fan contributor.

After voting in your thousands, we can reveal the winner is... Ollie Watkins!

Image source, Getty Images

And here's what Richard Sutherland from The Villa Park Podcast, external had to say about your winner when the vote opened on 15 May...

"What can you say about Ollie? Some 19 Premier League goals for Villa in a season, 13 league assists, 27 goals in all competitions - he has fully established himself as one of the best strikers in the top flight."

See the breakdown of results

And here is how the votes went for the other 19 Premier League clubs

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa secured Champions League qualification with a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and reached the Europa Conference League semi-final.

David Michael, from My Old Man Said, external, has given his verdict on the 2023-24 campaign.

Season rating: 10/10. Villa getting back into the Champions League after 42 years out of Europe's top competition is a superb headline achievement. Winning the Europa Conference League would have made it an 11/10 season.

Happy with your manager? Very happy. He is one of the best managers in the world. It is as simple as that. Ultimately, he will have to win a trophy at Villa to cement his legacy, but that is well within his powers. He has Villa supporters dreaming of silverware again.

Unsung hero: Youri Tielemans. Despite being a key summer signing, he had to wait several months before making his first Premier League start. Fans were initially unconvinced, but the Belgium midfielder's patience and effort was rewarded, as he fast grew into a vital player for the team.

Player you would most like to sign: If there is room for this Villa team to improve, it is certainly in defence. If the recent young full-back signings, Kosta Nedeljkovic and Lino Sousa, both step up to next season’s matchday squad, that could save further spend in that department, as would Tyrone Mings returning at the same level as before. Overall, there will not be wholesale change because of the club's Financial Fair Play position, but it might be worth calling Crystal Palace to see if any of their forward players fancy the Champions League next season.

Best away fans: Despite honourable mentions to the likes of Ajax, Lille and Olympiakos, Hibernian's away fans were on another level to any Premier League visitors. Their rendition of Sunshine On Leith when the score over two legs was getting ugly was one of the true highlights at Villa Park this season. A credit to their club.

See how our other fan writers rated their club's season here

Aston Villa have made a £12.8m bid for 32-year-old Sevilla and Argentina defender Marcos Acuna. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Villa are also interested in 24-year-old Italy defender Raoul Bellanova, after he impressed during his first season with Torino, but Manchester United and West Ham United are also keen. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Villa will rival Tottenham for 24-year-old Italy defender Andrea Cambiaso, who is valued at £34m by Juventus. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Aston Villa are closing in on a deal to re-sign Luton Town and former England midfielder Ross Barkley on a permanent basis, four years after the 30-year-old joined on loan from Chelsea. (Guardian), external

Meanwhile, Villa are willing to listen to offers for 31-year-old Brazilian defender Diego Carlos, as they look to comply with profit and sustainability rules. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Finally, Unai Emery wants to sign 25-year-old Barcelona and Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

After defeat by Crystal Palace on the final day, we asked you what Aston Villa need to do over the summer to prepare for their Champions League campaign next season.

Here are some of your answers:

Mark: Need a striker, another defensive midfielder to cover for Kamara, and probably another centre-back.

Chris: We do need a much larger squad, but in terms of quality we need a lot less than people think. The players to come back from injury make us very competitive. We just need a decent second-choice goalkeeper and a top striker to rival Ollie. Emery will still want a left-sided winger, but Rodgers has made that less urgent.

Veronica: Just because we crawled over the finishing line there’s no need to panic buy. These guys got us into the elite European mix and we should keep our faith in them, but there is an obvious need to improve the bench. Strength in depth is why the 'bigger' clubs maintain their top positions and so if we can add to our attack then that would be my priority.

Andy: The negative this season has been not being able to have Mings since the first match and Konsa playing right-back as we need him in central. We need a new right-back as Cash isn’t good enough and a second striker as Duran really needs to go out on loan. I think Archer could do a job for us next season.

Aston Villa duo Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins have been included in Opta's Premier League team of the season.

The pair helped Unai Emery's side finish fourth in the table and qualify for next season's Champions League.

Martinez

Based on Opta's expected goals on target conceded model, which takes into account the quality of attempts on target faced, Martinez prevented 8.8 goals in the league this season, the second-highest tally of any goalkeeper in the competition.

Watkins

Watkins provided a league-high 13 assists in the Premier League this season, while his 19 goals is the joint-most by an Villa player in a campaign.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from the final 10 games of the Premier League season.

If you missed Sunday's Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

Also, listen back to the two BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 3-1 West Ham

• Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea, Aston Villa and Sheffield United midfielder Ian Hamilton has died at the age of 73.

Hamilton became Chelsea's youngest league player and goalscorer aged 16, and had a spell at Southend before joining Villa in 1969, going on to win the 1975 League Cup with the club.

Hamilton, known as "Chico", signed for the Blades a year later and also spent time playing in the USA.