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Emery close to agreeing new Aston Villa contract
Unai Emery is close to agreeing a longer-term contract with Aston Villa, with discussions also covering a bigger role in the club’s long-term development. The agreement would signal a shared commitment to building Villa into a stronger competitor and comes as Emery has been linked with Manchester United.
Talks are continuing over the deal’s length and finances, and an announcement is not expected before the weekend. Emery, who joined Villa in October 2022 and was already contracted until 2029, has led the team from a relegation fight to European qualification each season and to the Europa League title in May, Villa’s first major trophy in 30 years. Villa are currently 10th in the Premier League and have won three of their first four Champions League matches.
In short
- Emery is close to extending his Aston Villa contract.
- The deal would give him more responsibility for long-term development.
- Villa say they share ambitions to keep growing beyond 2029.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A longer-term deal could give Villa stability and help Emery shape recruitment, development and the club’s wider strategy, building on the progress made under his management. Committing now may also help Villa retain a successful coach amid interest from other clubs and sustain their ambitions in domestic and European competition.
The case against
Villa should weigh the cost and risk of extending a manager who is already contracted until 2029, especially while the team sits 10th in the league. A larger role for Emery could concentrate too much long-term influence in one person, so the club may reasonably prefer to assess results and clarify governance before agreeing the length, finances and scope of a new deal.