- Darren Bent believes Unai Emery is one of the greats, given the financial circumstances he has faced at Aston Villa whilst fighting near the top of the Premier League
- It has been well documented that Villa has been hamstrung by the financial rules in transfer windows
- Next season, Villa will be competing in the Champions League for the second time in three seasons
Former Aston Villa striker Darren Bent believes Unai Emery has firmly cemented his status among football’s elite, after the success he has had at Villa despite facing severe financial hurdles.
The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) have long been a problem for Villa, since their ascent towards becoming an established European contender. Previous transfer windows has seen the sale of players fast-tracked before the 30th June (the end of the accounting period for each season) in order to comply with PSR.
Yet, with the challenges Emery has faced, he has taken Villa to the Champions League once again, which will be the fourth consecutive season the Villans have qualified for Europe. He has also ended their 30-year wait for a major trophy by lifting the Europa League last week, for the fifth time in his career.
These are incredible achievements that Bent believes make him one of the greats.
Emery one of the greats
At the launch of the TOCA Trophy and England Challenge ahead of the World Cup, Bent discussed how Emery overcame financial constraints to achieve immense success.
“He goes right up there. A couple of Champions League campaigns as well. I almost feel like he’s done a lot of his work with his hands tied behind his back with the PSR rules as well.
“But he’s up there. He’s one of the greatest of all time in terms of, not just at Villa, when you win five Europa Leagues, that takes him doing that. That is absolutely incredible.
“And the way he’s moulded Aston Villa into the way he sees them, I think it’s really impressive as well. So he’ll go down as an Aston Villa great for sure. I think he’ll go down as a great manager in general anyway.”
Financial hurdles
This transfer window will be Villa’s biggest. Having secured Champions League, they now have slightly more wiggle room financially to improve the quality of the squad to ensure they remain in Europe’s elite competition year on year.
However, UEFA’s Squad Cost Rules (SCR), which limit clubs to spend 70% of their revenue, will continue to be a problem until Villa’s revenue reaches the heights of the biggest clubs in the world.
Although it will be challenging, Bent is confident Villa can overcome these hurdles.
“A lot depends on the financial situation of the football club because that’s been the problem for Aston Villa, Newcastle, clubs with big owners that have got big ambition.
“They want to make that next step, they want to make that next jump, but unfortunately, PSR prevents them from doing that.
“I think Aston Villa can do it. In order for them to do it, they’ve got to hold on to their best players and they’ve got to hold on to their manager. If a Real Madrid come calling for Unai Emery, it takes a brave man to say no to that job, so that might be a worry for a Villa fan.
“And also some of your better players, people like Morgan Rogers, who I expect at the end of this season to be on everyone’s shopping list because he’s that good. He’s just won best player in that competition as well; he’s been absolutely sensational.
“If they can hold onto the manager and a lot of their better players and then add quality to the squad, then there’s no reason why they can’t keep competing at this level and maybe at one point compete for the Premier League. Right now it’s still a bit of a stretch, but I think they can do it.”
ReadAstonVilla verdict
Emery has proven he can shatter expectations despite modern football’s strict financial shackles. By lifting the Europa League trophy and securing another Champions League campaign, the Spaniard has validated himself as one of the best current managers in the world.
Yet, Villa’s ultimate test lies in the upcoming transfer window. To bridge the gap to the Premier League and European elite, the club must successfully navigate PSR and SCR while adding quality to their squad.
If they can protect crucial assets and build on the foundations already in place, then Emery’s continued transformation will ensure Villa remains at football’s highest table.
