Aston Villa will improve their position in the Premier League under Unai Emery with a ‘huge’ January transfer budget, according to pundit/insider John Wenham.
The Lowdown: NSWE plans
The 50-year-old was officially announced as Steven Gerrard’s permanent successor in the Villa dugout during the week and will formally take charge on Tuesday.
Subsequent reports have stated that NSWE have made it clear to the Spaniard that he will be backed with a ‘huge’ transfer kitty in the New Year. Villa are ready to make another round of big-money signings in 2023, despite spending more than £430m since returning to the top flight three years ago.
The Latest: Wenham’s comments
Speaking to Football Insider, Wenham - a regular pundit and Tottenham insider for the outlet - reacted to the news on Emery’s appointment and NSWE’s transfer plans.
He labelled it a ‘huge coup’ for the Midlands club and is sure that Emery will be backed by the board, which he feels will result in Villa climbing the Premier League table after the World Cup.
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Wenham said of Emery's appointment: “Huge, huge coup for Aston Villa. I think he is a real, European pedigree manager.
“He was courted quite publicly by Newcastle United last season but he chose to stay at Villarreal on that occasion.
“Villa have done very well to attract a manager of that calibre. I actually think he is the biggest calibre of manager they have attracted since Gerard Houllier.
“It’s a real big name, statement manager. If he adds one or two players that he knows well from Villarreal then they could build something good this season.
“They have a lot of unearthed talent in there, some good, young, English players in there. They have a great support, a great stadium and I think they could really improve their position very, very quickly.
“They will back him, I’m sure. That will get them even higher up after the World Cup.”
The Verdict: Exciting
Villa failed to put in back-to-back positive performances under interim manager Aaron Danks, falling to a 4-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday. NSWE may want to follow in Newcastle’s footsteps under Emery, with Eddie Howe improving the club massively over the past 12 months.
Howe has been backed by the new Magpies owners, and with Emery also set to be given money to spend, Villa will be hoping that they too can be fighting for European football in years to come.