Aston Villa CEO Damià Vidagany has spoken about with the club's plans, with some big and ambitious news
Aston Villa CEO Damià Vidagany has spoken about the club’s plans, with some big and ambitious news
Aston Villa CEO Damià Vidagany has revealed how they are seeking to replicate Manchester City’s model under Pep Guardiola and the success that has brought.
El Pais Catalunya report comments from the Aston Villa CEO today as the Villans continue to establish themselves among the Premier League elite.
Return to Emery partnership at Aston Villa
Damià Vidagany has been Aston Villa’s CEO for four years after receiving a call from Unai Emery in 2022.
The Spanish boss wanted Vidagany on his board. The pair previously worked together, to great success, at Valencia.
When he arrived, Aston Villa were sitting in 17th place. Now, they are fourth, one point behind Manchester United after returning to the Champions League for the first time in 41 years last season.
Emery is also fast on the way to being one of their greatest managers ever. He’s already surpassed 100 victories at the club, a milestone that has only been achieved by Ron Saunders and Joe Mercer previously.
He appears to be in it for the long haul, and Vidagany admits the model they want to replicate is City’s.
“Unai and I look closely at City’s model under Pep Guardiola because it’s an absolute success story, and we try to replicate it,” he said.
He also acknowledges that he has a privileged life “because I work in the Premier League and live in a city like Birmingham, where we’re treated with so much affection and respect.”
Premier League adaptation
Adapting to life in the Premier League has not been an easy task, though. After working various roles in Spain, including as a journalist, Damià Vidagany has plenty of experience under his belt.
The move to England with Aston Villa was a major step up for the 51-year-old. In fact, he likens it to the NBA.
“The Premier League was like going to the NBA. Four years have passed, and it has exceeded all expectations,” he added. That, curiously, is a sentiment shared by former Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici.
Now the focus is on turning Aston Villa into a Premier League powerhouse. He and Emery have already built impressive foundations, like they once did together in Valencia. Copying Manchester City’s success, though, might take longer.