Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has explained why the club must be “more intelligent” than the Premier League’s ‘big six’
11:30, 03 Aug 2025Updated 16:33, 03 Aug 2025
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery(Image: PA)
Unai Emery admits Aston Villa do not have the financial flexibility of their rivals but insists he is still leading an exciting project, fuelled by the ambition of the club’s owners.
Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens want to continue funding Villa’s progress by splashing their cash but are hamstrung by what they can do due to Premier League and UEFA spending rules.
Both sets of regulations limit spending in relation to revenue, meaning Villa are at a disadvantage compared to the ‘big six’, while Newcastle United pipped Emery’s side to the fifth and final Champions League spot on the final day of last season.
This summer, Villa have avoided selling players they want to keep but have only made one first-team signing so far – Marco Bizot, brought in to replace former backup goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
“The owners, when they came and bought the club, they have been very ambitious,” Emery explained on the club’s pre-season tour of the USA. “When I arrived here I kept the same ambition they have.
“Progressively, we are getting better in everything. We are improving the players, and some who are joining us increase the level. Everything is in the structure and we are getting confidence.
“The idea is don’t stop increasing our capacity. The owners as well are investing in Villa Park. We are trying to increase our incomes. The players are responding very well and we are in Europe for a third year in a row.
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“To keep it is our challenge. To be consistent and progressively is the challenge we have. We need young players and the players we have to be demanding of ourselves.
“We need to join some players in the level we want to achieve, but we don’t have the same power economically like seven other teams in the Premier League.
“We must be more intelligent and anticipate something. It is very exciting, the work for me and the club. We are really improving and meeting our objectives, but there is still work to do. We have to be demanding and intelligent.”
Emery added: “One of the most important things of how we can improve is through players playing for their national teams. Tyrone Mings, Konsa, Lucas Digne came back in the France team. We were joining players with us with this level, like Malen, Maatsen.
“Now we have 15 or 16 players in their national team. This is the point of view of how we are trying to add our experiences and our work with the club and the players.”
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Get your Aston Villa pre-season special edition of the Birmingham Mail
It promises to be an exciting season ahead for Aston Villa as Unai Emery’s side look to build on last season’s efforts and will look to finish even higher this time around.
Despite not achieving the same feat of the 2023/2024 season by securing a UEFA Champion’s League spot — the 2024/25 campaign proved to be a decent one for the Villains. Villa managed to get into continental football by qualifying for the Europa League and will play their third consecutive season of European competition.
It looks as though there is a lot to look forward to this coming campaign. And with that in mind, we have produced our Aston Villa 2025/26 Kick-Off special — our brilliant guide to the new season.
Our team will help you navigate through what to expect from your team this coming season, turn the spotlight on Emery while also providing in-depth analysis and opinion on your club. We look at the summer’s biggest signings, check out each ground, study the managers – new and old – and test your knowledge with our Premier League quiz.
And we also have a full fixtures guide so you don’t miss a game in what is set to be a thrilling season. The guide is available at retailers from August 6 but can be pre-ordered online now and it is a must have for any Aston Villa fan. It is the perfect accompaniment to the season and you can own it before the squad’s opening fixture of the Premier League when they welcome Newcastle United to Villa Park on Saturday, August, 16.
Priced £3.50, pre-order your copy now from our online store and get it delivered direct to your door.Available to purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in Birmingham from August 6, 2025. For online purchases, postage and packaging applies. Worldwide shipping is available.