We asked for your views on whether Unai Emery needs to win a trophy to be classed as an Aston Villa ‘great’. In his column below, BBC Radio WM’s Mike Taylor raises the topic as he says more and more fans are debating it.
Here are some of your comments:
Chris: To finish in the top four, considering that almost half the first choice players have been missing for large parts of the season, I believe would represent a successful season. Success in Europe would be the icing on the cake. I believe Unai Emery to be a fabulous manager and coach and he has really got a tune out of this squad, despite the setbacks. Silverware would be the ultimate achievement.
Dylan: Unai has done a great job at Villa but to be considered a Villa great I think he needs to lift a trophy. If we win the Europa League I think he can then be called a ‘great’. Whether that happens with our injuries remains to be seen.
David: No. Emery doesn’t need to win something to be remembered as a great at Aston Villa. I am 48 years old and these are the best times I can remember supporting my club. Consistently playing in Europe, going toe to toe with some of the big hitters and coming out on top. In spending very little, he has transformed the club. He is an elite level manager, the likes we might not see again!
Martyn: In two words…. absolutely not! Look at other clubs and their managers – some have won trophies but not had anywhere near the impact on the team, the club nor the fans that Unai has. While success is often measured in silverware, what he and they have performed for us as fans is nothing short of amazing, and that’s in a lifetime for me of Atkinson, O’Neill, Gregory and Smith.
Darren: Having read the excellent Rise of the Villans book by Guillem Balague, it’s clear that Emery is motivated to win trophies. That aligns with us supporters’ expectations perfectly!
Prit: I think we need to put things into perspective. Before Unai Emery came to Villa we were barely back in the Premier League and struggling towards the bottom. With just a few key additions, and largely the same Dean Smith/Steven Gerrard team, he has made us competitive and brought joy to the Villa fans.