It's going to be another high-pressure, high-octane season for Unai Emery and Aston Villa.
The first Champions League campaign for more than four decades will put pressure on the first-team squad who will want to get out of the blocks in the first leg against West Ham United.
Fellow Spaniard Julen Lopetegui will be looking to win his first game in charge at the London Stadium, so the attacking duo should produce one of the best performances on the opening weekend of 2024/25.
A smart move by Unai Emery that will benefit Villa
Before that game a week on Saturday, there is still the business of transferring Monchi, whether that will be more or, as happened with James Wright, an exit.
According to The Athletic (subscription required), the 19-year-old goalkeeper will be loaned to third-tier Spanish club Real Union for the upcoming campaign.
It is a move by Unai Emery for several reasons.
First, it will give top-class youngsters game time and experience, which will be an obvious benefit for Villa in the long run.
Second, Real Union is managed by Unai Emery, so not only will the club, based in Irun in the Basque Country, acquire excellent young talent and it can make Emery's club better in the short to medium term, Emery will know that. when the players return to Villa, they will be in the best position to challenge for a first-team place.
It's really smart business by all involved, and it shows a bright future for the Villains in the way it continues to work.
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