- Real Unión’s president Igor Emery and sporting director Mike Bengoa travelled to Birmingham last week to meet with Aston Villa
- Transfers and stadium renovations topped the agenda
- The pair watched the second leg of the Europa League semi-final
Last week, Real Unión’s president, Igor Emery, and sporting director, Mike Bengoa, travelled to Birmingham to meet with Aston Villa. In their visit, they discussed the potential transfers of Villa’s youth prospects, as well as the work going on at Villa Park.
Back in 2021, Unai Emery and his family bought Real Unión, a team with which they have deep ties. The Basque club are a founding member of La Liga, and was home to the Villa manager’s father and grandfather, who were both goalkeepers.
A year after Emery joined Villa, the club’s ownership group, V Sports, announced a collaborative partnership with Real Unión, and more recently, bought a 25% stake.
Over time, they have shared data and methodology, and Villa have also loaned out some of their academy players.
Furthermore, to show their appreciation for the connection with the Villans, they used claret and blue in their away kit, which Adidas manufactured, due to Nassef Sawiris’ 6% stake.
It’s all been part of a collaboration that stems from Emery’s influence in both clubs.
Recent visit to Birmingham
Mike Bengoa, the sporting director, spoke to El Diario Vasco about their recent trip, which included a visit to Villa Park to see Villa hammer Nottingham Forest 4-0 to book their place in the Europa League final.
“We took the opportunity to see some of the work being done to prepare for the final stretch of the season, but above all, to compare the prospects for the next campaign, and to be able to align ourselves in the best way to be as competitive as possible.”
Bengoa believes their promotion back to Spain’s third tier will make things easier when finding “common ground” with the development of Villa’s youngsters at the forefront.
“For them, Primera RFEF is a very interesting category for the development of their players. There’s no doubt that we’ll find common ground to help each other more easily than we would in Segunda RFEF.
“The club is extremely happy with how the players who have come through here have developed. O’Reilly looks very likely to be sold this summer. Feeney is progressing well in League One. Munroe started in League Two, but in January, he was sold to a Championship team.
“James Wright has been the third-choice goalkeeper for the first team all season, and they are pleased with his consistent performances. The club believes that their time in Irun has given them valuable experience that will make them stronger as they return to English football.”
ReadAstonVilla verdict
The relationship between the two clubs has evolved from a sentimental family connection into a high-functioning strategic partnership. With Emery at the front and centre, both teams have created a pipeline that benefits Villa’s bright youth prospects and Real Unión’s competitive ambitions.
As the Basque side ascends to the third tier of Spanish Football, this collaboration will deepen, offering a more robust platform for academy development.
