Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has come in for praise from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry has praised Unai Emery
Thierry Henry has praised Unai Emery(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has named Unai Emery as the Premier League manager who has impressed him the most this season.
Aston Villa have won 15 of their last 17 matches across all competitions, including their last nine in a row. Six of those victories have come in the Premier League - a new club record.
Just three points behind league leaders Arsenal after beating them 2-1 a fortnight ago, Villa’s development over the past three months has been nothing short of remarkable.
The season began in stark contrast. Villa failed to win any of their first six matches across all competitions and did not score their first league goal until matchweek five.
Matty Cash opened the scoring against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, but Villa were unable to capitalise against 10 men. The result prompted Unai Emery to criticise his side’s “lazy” defending, while also admitting they lacked fight and a clear identity on the pitch.
Since then, Villa have ridden the crest of a wave. Their outstanding run of form has seen them climb to third place in both the Premier League and the Europa League.
Arsenal icon Thierry Henry has now praised Emery’s impact, insisting that the Spaniard is the manager who has impressed him the most as the campaign approaches its halfway point, admitting that he has been shocked at their revival.
“I have to give Unai Emery a lot of credit because, come on, no one saw that coming,” Henry told Betway.
“The results Villa were getting, they looked lost. They looked like they were not going to be at it.
“We were looking at it like, is this going to be the end? But, wow, you have to give Emery his credit. He always finds a way.
“In three months, we might be saying they went south again. But at this particular moment, the way he put everyone back together, he stayed focused and worked really hard.
“I’m impressed with the way they stayed united, because I couldn’t see that coming.”