If he wasn’t before, then Unai Emery is certainly an Aston Villa legend after guiding the club to the Europa League trophy last season.
Remarkably, that was Villa’s first piece of silverware in 30 years. The question is, can Emery continue to build on that success and lift more trophies this season?
Qualification for the Champions League certainly helps attract a better quality of player, but is the Villa squad deep enough to challenge both in Europe and in the Premier League? Only time will tell.
Aston Villa ready to kick on
Finally getting over the hurdle and winning a major trophy should, in theory, give Emery and his side a major jolt of confidence.
A narrow 2-1 defeat to current European champions PSG in the Super Cup proved that they certainly belong among the continents elite.
Villa finished fourth in the Premier League table last season, their joint-highest finish in the top flight since 1996. The onus now is to go and deliver a title challenge.
No mean feat considering how strong the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United were last term, but the latter two are beginning new eras of their own this season. This could well open the door for Emery.
Perhaps the most realistic chance of silverware in 2026/27, however, will be in the domestic cup competitions. These have somewhat been pushed down on the priority scale by Emery, who has led Villa to just one semi-final appearance across eight participations in both the FA Cup and EFL Cup since taking over in October 2022.
Of course, the Premier League and Champions League remain the most important, but Villa fans will be desperate to see another trophy adorn the trophy cabinet.
Transfer business has been solid rather than spectacular
So far this summer, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Donyell Malen, Enzo Barrenechea, Lewis Dobbin and Lucas Digne have left Villa, raising an eye-watering $270m in the process.
Some departures will be felt more than others, especially those of Rogers and Tielemans, yet Emery has been fairly cautious with his incomings.
Johan Manzambi, fresh from a superb showing at the World Cup, joins in an $80m deal, while midfielder Joao Gomes has signed from Wolves and he will be a replacement for Tielemans.
Elsewhere, Modou Keba Cisse arrives from Austrian side LASK, while winger Alejandro Garnacho joins on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Plenty of time for another signing or two, but will the incomings make up for those who have left?
It is far too early to tell, but Villa simply cannot spend as much as the ‘big boys’ due to breaching financial regulations last year.
Emery has forged something that money cant buy: team spirt. That, however, will be tested this season.
Breakthrough talent: Brian Madjo
Brian Madjo arrived at Villa Park in January 2026 from Metz. The teenager only made his senior debut last week however, and what a debut it was.
He scored Villa’s equalizer against PSG in the Super Cup, but only after the club won their appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this month.
Players aged under 18 cant complete international transfers, but Villa argued that because the youngster was born in London, he should be exempt.
Villa took their case to the CAS and won, giving Emery the chance to finally unleash Madjo in a competitive match.
He registered six shots during the game and created two chances, showcasing how important he could be this season.
With Ollie Watkins and Tammy Abraham the two main attacking options for Emery, squad rotation will be vital this season and this could mean Madjo gets his fair share of game time.
Keep your eye on him.
What constitutes a good season?
I think every Aston Villa supporter would bite your hand off if they were offered another trophy and a top-four finish once again.
Realistically, that should be the aim this term. The club did reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2024/25, but that might be their limit in Europe’s premier club competition.
Emery has pushed his side to the limits in recent years. How far can they go this season? A deep run in the Champions League plus a potential Premier League title challenge would go down well.
Oh, and another trophy would be nice.
