The winner will be announced later this month.
Villa boss Unai Emery has expressed pride in his Ballon d’Or nomination - and insisted he doesn’t feel under-rated as a manager.
Emery’s excellent work in guiding Villa to Europa League glory has seen him named on a five-strong shortlist to be named the world’s best men’s coach.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta are also in the running, along with Bayern Munich chief Vincent Kompany and Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente.
Emery’s Europa League win was the fifth of his career but this is his first Ballon D’Or nomination.
Speaking to Diario de Sevilla, the Villa boss dismissed the idea his work has previously been overlooked.
“Being nominated for the Ballon d'Or is something to be proud of,” he said. “Sometimes people tell me: ‘Unai is undervalued in football’.
“No, I feel very valued in the places I've been, I feel very valued in football in general, and I don't feel like I'm lacking anything.
“I feel like I have a very important place, and for me, it's an honor and a source of pride.”
Emery concedes he is likely an outsider to win the prize. The Ballon D’Or ceremony takes place in London on October 26.
He said: “I don't know who they'll give it to. I imagine the Champions League winner carries a lot of weight, and it could be Luis Enrique, or even winning the World Cup like De La Fuente did, that would also have its significance, but I don't know.
“I think the Europa League winner does too, and that's why I'm in the running, but a little less so.”
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