Real Unión, Villa's sister club, have been relegated from the third-tier of Spanish football
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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Family connection... the brother of Villa boss Unai Emery is president at Real Union
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Aston Villa’s relationship with Real Unión will not be affected by their relegation from the third tier of Spanish football, according to their president, Igor Emery.
The brother of Villa manager Unai Emery, Igor believes relegation could actually be a blessing in disguise, allowing the club to reset and return to the third division better prepared to mount a push for promotion to the professional leagues.
Real Unión finished 18th in the Primera Federación Group A following a 4-2 defeat at Athletic Bilbao B over the weekend.
Villa’s owners, V Sports, own a 25 per cent stake in Real Unión after the club’s board members approved a capital increase of €4.5 million.
V Sports co-owner Wes Edens visited Gal Stadium earlier this year and was pictured with Igor, holding Real Unión’s claret and blue away shirt.
"That agreement is not affected by the relegation," Igor Emery insisted. "Nor is the Emery family’s project at Real Unión, which goes far beyond the first team and cannot depend on a single sporting result.
“The goal is to return to professional football, but we want to build a financially healthy, stronger club with a larger fan base — to come back better prepared in terms of infrastructure, internal structure, mindset, and organisation."
Vissel Kobe, ZED FC and Vitoria Sport Clube from Japan, Egypt and Portugal respectively are also connected to Villa.
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