Last season was Aston Villa’s best finish to a Premier League campaign in 13 years. After a slow start to the year, losing four of their opening five games, Villa recovered and ended the season very strongly.
In 2023, Villa won 13 of their 21 matches in the Premier League, losing just five times. If they can carry that momentum into the 2023/24 campaign, it could be another excellent season for the Midlands club.
With a European adventure, the opportunity to win a domestic cup for the first time since 1996 and a new Premier League campaign to contend with, Villa fans will be counting down the days until the new season begins in the sport.
As of the 15th of June, Aston Villa are 11/4 in the online betting to go at least one place better next season and finish in the top six. That would lead to qualification into the UEFA Europa League at the very least.
Unai Emery Has Given Villa Fans Hope
When he took over the vacant managerial position which was left by Steven Gerrard back in November, Unai Emery had to rebuild his reputation in England. It did not go well for him in his previous spell in this country at Arsenal.
In Spain, Emery is considered one of the brightest coaches in the country. He won the Europa League three times with Sevilla between 2013 and 2016, while he lifted the trophy for a fourth time with Villareal in 2021. During his time in France with PSG, he guided the Paris-based club to the domestic treble in the 2017-18 campaign.
Emery has shown during his time at Villa Park why he has had so much success in his career so far. His players have enjoyed working under him, and they have rewarded him with some excellent results.
With a full pre-season to work with his players this time, Emery can ensure his squad goes into the 2023/24 fully prepared. He will have the opportunity to work on tactics and formations, a luxury he was not afforded when he arrived at the club during the last season.
Unai Emery wins April’s Premier League Manager of the Month award after five wins in seven games 💥 pic.twitter.com/ujuoQlzt43
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 12, 2023
One of the highlights of last season for Emery was the month of April. His side won five, drew one and lost just one of their seven fixtures. They had wins over Chelsea, Leicester City and Newcastle United. The Spaniard was named the Premier League Manager of the Month for April.
Summer Transfer Window the Chance to Strengthen
As you may have seen in the local news, Aston Villa have already made one signing in the summer transfer window, as they have snapped up midfielder Youri Tielemans from Leicester City. The Belgian international has shown what he can do over the last few years in the Premier League, so it is a great signing for the club.
Aston Villa land Youri Tielemans after he leaves Leicester on free transfer https://t.co/OLnuOkPwjt
— The Guardian (@guardian) June 10, 2023
Tielemans is unlikely to be the last player to make the move to Aston Villa this summer. Emery will be keen to add to his squad with quality over quantity. He will have already identified the positions he wants to fill and the personnel he feels can help his side improve.
Villa have been linked with some big names this summer, including Nacho, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho. It could be a huge transfer window for the club, as Emery is expected to be supported, as he looks to add his touch to his squad.
Europa Conference League Excitement
Emery will have seen the success West Ham had in the UEFA Europa Conference League last season and he will be hoping Aston Villa can replicate that next season by lifting the trophy. Villa will start the competition in the Play-Off round. This competition gives the Midlands club a good chance of winning their first major European trophy since they were last triumphant in the European Cup in 1982.
Aston Villa will be joined in the Europa Conference League by Juventus, Lille, Osasuna and Eintracht Frankfurt, as they have all also qualified through the other major leagues in Europe. If either of those teams is drawn to face Emery’s side at Villa Park, that would represent a sports fixture many Villa fans will be excited about.
Aston Villa begin their 2023/23 Premier League campaign against Newcastle United on Saturday, 12 August.
