Emery’s contract extended

ASTON Villa manager Unai Emery has committed to the club until at least 2027 after his contract was extended.

The Spaniard’s existing deal still had two years to run but he has agreed terms for an additional 12 months.

Villa are also keen to sit down with the 52-yearold in the summer and discuss a new longerterm contract.

Emery has done an impressive job at Villa Park, guiding them from a relegation fight when taking over from Steven Gerrard in November 2022 to the brink of Champions League qualification this season.

They are also in the semi-final of the Europa Conference League, where they play Olympiacos, and are the favourites to win the tournament which would represent a first European trophy since 1982.

Due to his impressive work at Villa Park, he was recently linked with the vacant Bayern Munich managerial position, while a number of other top European clubs will be looking for managers this summer and might have targeted the former Sevilla, Arsenal and Paris Saint-germain boss.

After Emery guided them to a seventh-placed finish last season, Villa have kicked on this term and are in pole position to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

They are six points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have two games in hand, and are managing their tough Thursday-sunday schedule well.

Emery told avfc.co.uk: “We are enjoying our way together with Villa fans, the club owners, management and this great group of players that we are proud of.

“Me and the football management... we share the vision of the owners.”

Villa boss Unai Emery.