UNAI EMERY became the fastest Aston Villa manager to reach 100 victories after his side beat Lille in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
The 54-year-old Spaniard, aiming for a fifth Europa League title, has transformed Villa into a force at home and in Europe since his appointment in October 2022. Emery boasts the best win ratio in club history at 55.2% and is one of only three Premier League managers to surpass 100 wins while at Villa Park, alongside Pep Guardiola (137) and Mikel Arteta (118).
Emery reached 100 wins in 181 games, surpassing club legend Ron Saunders, who took four seasons to achieve the milestone in 1977-78. Other historical comparisons include Joe Mercer, who needed four-and-a-half years for 100 wins, and managers George Ramsay and WJ Smith, who required 190 and 205 games respectively. Emery’s winning streak began with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United in November 2022.
Europa League and Recent Form
Villa’s European ambition was clear when they appointed Emery four years ago. Currently fourth in the Premier League, they are aiming for a Champions League spot next season, with Europa League success also offering the same opportunity.
The team was returning to form after a four-game domestic winless streak, including defeats to Newcastle, Chelsea, and Wolves. Captain John McGinn called the Europa League win a “building block” to reset after difficult weeks.
“We needed a reset,” McGinn said. “The past month has not been great. This result gives us a foundation to build on. Sunday’s game at Manchester United will be tough, but this was a good start.”
Emery added that he used the struggles of Premier League rivals in Europe as motivation. “We respect this competition because we know how difficult away matches in Europe are. We see how English teams have struggled in the Champions League this week, and that motivates us,” he said.
