Football: Unai Emery replaces Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa manager

Unai Emery is back in the Premier League. Photo / AP

This time, Unai Emery couldn’t resist a return to English football.

Emery left his position as Villarreal coach this morning to take charge of Aston Villa, replacing the fired Steven Gerrard.

It will be Emery’s second spell in the Premier League, having coached Arsenal in 2018-19.

He turned down the opportunity to become Newcastle manager in October last year following the purchase of the club by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, saying Villarreal was his home and he wanted to “continue being part of this project.”

A year later, Emery has decided to return to England, ending his 2 1/2-year stint at Villarreal during which he won the Europa League — a title he also claimed three times at Sevilla. He also was previously coach of Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.

Villa said Emery will start as manager on November 2 after his work permit formalities are completed. His contract at Villarreal was due to expire at the end of the season and the BBC reported Villa has paid a buyout fee of around US$6 million for the 50-year-old Emery.

Emery will hold a farewell news conference at Villarreal’s training ground tomorrow, the Spanish club said, and director of football Miguel Angel Tena will take charge of the team on an interim basis until a new coach is hired.

Gerrard was fired in the hours after Villa lost at Fulham 3-0 on Friday. Villa beat Brentford 4-0 three days later and are in 14th place in the league.