Third best team in Premier League since he arrived - Emery's remarkable record at Villa

It’s a truly remarkable sign of the progress Aston Villa have made over the past five months that John McGinn found himself answering questions about European qualification ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Newcastle. But, despite how unlikely it seemed back in November, Villa are now sitting in sixth place and just six points off fifth and qualification for the Europa League. 

"We have to be almost perfect to get to Europe," confirmed the Scotland international. And he isn’t wrong. If Villa can get past Newcastle, they then face tricky ties against Brentford, Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton. But if the club’s form under new-ish manager Unai Emery is anything to go by, the Birmingham giants may yet upset the odds and overtake Spurs for that coveted fifth spot in the Premier League table. 

Unai Emery’s remarkable record at Aston Villa

Indeed, since Emery took over at the club as the long-term replacement for Steven Gerrard, Villa’s success in the English top-flight has been nothing short of remarkable. For example, the Spaniard picked up the reins at Villa Park when the club were languishing in fifteenth place, but have steadily climbed the table to where they now sit among the biggest clubs in the country. And it has certainly not been a fluke or simple dumb luck that has got them there. 

To date, Emery has won 11 league games, drawn two and lost just four. Giving him an impressive Premier League points-per-game average of 2.06. In stark contrast, Emery’s predecessor Gerrard was far less successful in the league and departed the club with an average of just 1.16, while his record in this season’s competition prior to getting sacked stood at just 0.82. In fact, Emery’s overall record of 1.84 points per game at the club is the best return for any Villa manager since records began.

However, Emery’s success at Villa hasn’t just impressed in comparison to Villa managers that have come before him. His side have also taken the Premier League by storm and since the Spaniard was appointed at the club only two other sides have managed to pick up more points in the league - league leaders Arsenal and reigning champions Manchester City. Which goes some way to explaining why Villa fans are so delighted with their new manager.