Aston Villa boss Unai Emery may soon no longer be an option for Manchester United if Michael Carrick is sacked
Aston Villa have released a statement on the future of Unai Emery amid Manchester United links
Aston Villa have released a statement on the future of Unai Emery amid Manchester United links(Image: (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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Manchester United have been clearly told by Aston Villa that Unai Emery will not be leaving the club anytime soon. The 54-year-old has been touted as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick if he is sacked, but Emery instead looks set to sign a new long-term contract at Villa Park.
Carrick eased pressure on his shoulders on Tuesday evening as United came from behind to beat AS Roma in the Champions League at Old Trafford. Emery and Villa head to United's home next, with that Premier League clash set to take place on Sunday afternoon.
Villa will be looking to respond to a disappointing last two results with defeat away to Barcelona coming after a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham. Though Emery's side have flattered to deceive in the last week, it remains clear that he has drastically improved their fortunes since joining in 2022.
As a result of that, unsurprisingly, Villa want to keep him for the foreseeable and that hope has been reflected by a meeting on Wednesday between key members of the club over his future.
In a notably candid club statement, Villa confirmed that there were "positive discussions" between Emery, chairman Nassef Sawiris, President of Football Operations Roberto Olabe and Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany.
Unai Emery with Aston Villa chairman Nassef Sawiris
Unai Emery with Aston Villa chairman Nassef Sawiris
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Their statement read: "Aston Villa held an important working meeting today to plan the club's future and lay the foundations for its long-term sporting and institutional project.
"The meeting brought together Nassef Sawiris, the club's Chairman and Unai Emery alongside President of Football Operations Roberto Olabe and Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany."
"The discussions focused on jointly planning the club's long-term strategic direction, with positive discussions establishing a clear commitment beyond 2029 for the joint development of the club under the sporting leadership of Unai Emery based on the shared ambitions and common goal to reach excellency and keep growing during the next years.
"The objective is clear: to build an ambitious, competitive Aston Villa capable of taking on the biggest challenges and achievements."
Emery penned a five-year contract extension in May 2024 - 18 months after arriving at the club - but it appears increasingly certain he intends to stay at the helm well into the next decade.
According to The Telegraph, Emery is in advanced negotiations over fresh terms at Villa, which would remove speculation linking him with a switch to United. It would have set the latter back £20million to trigger his release from his existing deal.
Villa and Emery now travel to a rejuvenated Old Trafford, with another win likely to secure Carrick's position beyond the forthcoming international break, when a review of his performance had been scheduled.