Only days had passed since the final ball had been kicked by Aston Villa in the 2023-24 campaign.
Luton Town had gone down. But one player was on the up - and here was Unai Emery, seizing the moment.
There was no time to waste if one of his prime targets was to be secured.
Sat in front of him at the Belfry Hotel, a long par five from the club’s Bodymoor Heath training base, was free agent Ross Barkley.
The former Everton, Chelsea and Nice playmaker had just enjoyed a stellar campaign with the Hatters where he had completed a season of Premier League rehabilitation.
Emery Made Big Play to Sign Ross Barkley
Aston Villa move was a no-brainer for the midfielder
Unai Emery
Emery went to great lengths to explain how he would fit again at Villa Park. The role he wanted Barkley to play and how the Merseysider could best realise the undoubted talent - ability that hasn’t always been consistently showcased.
It turned into a no-brainer for the then 30-year-old.
Now, this season hasn’t gone as the player would have hoped. They oh-so-rarely have done.
But the good news is that Emery has no desire to cash in. No desire to call it quits.
He sees a future with Barkley next season, despite the three-month lay-off that has blighted the ex-England international’s opening season at Villa Park.
The player was just hitting his stride, becoming increasingly involved at Villa Park.
He’d made cameo appearances. More often than not when Amadou Onana couldn’t affect the game as Emery wanted. When Villa’s boss needed someone to open the door.
Goals against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace should have brought more points than they did.
But he was trusted enough to feature in the biggest Champions League games, albeit from the bench against Bayern Munich, Bologna and Juventus at Villa Park.
Emery, talking about his plans for the man he sweet-talked into joining him, will persevere.
The belief is genuine.
Emery has Big Plans for Barkley Next Season
He is 'so happy' with the Aston Villa star
Unai Emery
The Spaniard said:
Quite importantly, Ross is a fantastic guy. And he is a fantastic player.
His career has been amazing. Up and down, up and down, up and down. But his quality, his talent has still been in him.
“Last year, we analysed him at Luton. He did a fantastic season.
“Fantastic consistency, scoring goals, performing very well - maybe playing his best football for a long time.
“He’s played for a long time. At Everton. At Chelsea. But he is still young at 31 years old.
“It was necessary for him to adapt to our demands this year.
“When he was in his best moment, he got injured. And he got injured for three months.
“Of course, it's a long time. But now he is feeling good again. He is training very well. And, of course, we are finishing the season.
“He could play now. And he’ll be ready to play."
Emery added:
But for next season, I want the best of him.
I believe in him. I believe in his performances, how he can help us. Like he was doing. He scored three, four, five goals this season.
He did so much. And he was adapting to us. And he was progressively getting better.
Our demands, tactically and defensively, they are very demanding.
Last year, we needed to correct a little bit of something with him. Individually with him. But I am so happy with him.
“Hopefully he can keep consistency for now.
“And of course for the summer as well. And even resting up - so he can be consistent next year.”
It seems the feeling isn’t all one-way, either.
Describing him as ‘the full package', like so many at Villa Park - Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and skipper John McGinn have all said words along similar lines about their Basque boss.
That he's driven, demanding and ambitious.
But also, it’s clear that if you listen - and deliver - he will have your back.
Barkley Says Emery is 'The Full Package' as a Manager
The midfielder is enjoying life at Aston Villa
Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley
Barkley said: “When we met, he said he’d watched every match of mine. He mentioned how he had seen my game evolve and change.
“He knew about me anyway. I’d played for Chelsea against his Arsenal side in the Europa League final.
“But after speaking to him, I wanted to come back.
“I spoke to a few of the lads here before making my decision and they said: ‘Look, he’ll make your game even better, you’ll improve - and you’ll enjoy it.'
“So it was pivotal speaking to him.
“He seems to have everything. He’s the full package.
“After meeting him you understand how meticulous and well-drilled he is. I’ve learnt so much, but I know I’m going to be learning so much more.
“He demands a lot - but you need that because you want to be at your best.”
Barkley is likely to be used in an advanced position next season.
This time around, he was asked to open doors, perhaps when Onana couldn’t.
And there were signs he was fitting in.
Ross Barkley Premier League statistics 2024-25
Similarly to Youri Tielemans, who likewise arrived on a free transfer but whose form was patchy for the first half-season, it had been a slow boil.
Barkley’s form was bubbling nicely until a calf injury forced him out of the action for three months just after the turn of the year.
He said: “I like to play forward. That’s my instinct.
“I play safe at the right times. I want to get players in positions to cause chaos and carnage and score goals.
“Previously, I was a player who wanted someone to get me on the ball in those pockets.
“But now, I want to get players in.
“The more I get on the ball, the better I am. Give me the ball and I’ll make things happen.”
And Aston Villa - and Unai Emery - are counting on that happening next season.
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