By Martin Graham
Unai Emery became the fastest manager in Aston Villa’s history to record 100 victories after his side beat Lille in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. The Spaniard reached the landmark in just 181 matches, overtaking previous figures at the club and underlining the impact he has made since arriving at Villa Park in October 2022.
The 54-year-old is chasing a fifth triumph in the competition, which would extend his own record. Since taking charge, he has turned Villa into a strong side both at home and on the European stage, while also producing the best win percentage in the club’s history at 55.2%.
During Emery’s time in charge, only two Premier League managers have collected more victories than him. His compatriots Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have recorded 137 and 118 wins, respectively, in the same period.
Although the achievement was played down by Emery after the match in France, the statistics highlight the progress made under the former Sevilla and Villarreal coach, who returned to English football determined to prove himself again following his dismissal by Arsenal in 2019.
Surpassing Villa’s historic benchmarks
Emery’s century of wins arrived sooner than it did for some of the most celebrated managers in Aston Villa history. Ron Saunders, widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest figures, reached 100 victories during the 1977-78 campaign in what was his fourth season in charge.
Saunders guided the club out of the old second division and later delivered major success, including two League Cup trophies and the league title in 1980-81. He was also the manager at the beginning of the memorable 1981-82 season that ultimately ended with Villa lifting the European Cup.
Joe Mercer also required significantly more time to reach the milestone. The former manager, who oversaw promotion back to the top flight and won the League Cup during his tenure between 1958 and 1964, brought up his 100th win after four and a half years, eventually finishing with 119 victories.
Even earlier figures needed longer runs to reach the same point. George Ramsay, whose teams were selected by a management committee during his long spell from 1884 to 1926, took 190 games to achieve 100 wins, while WJ Smith required 205 matches between 1926 and 1934.
Victory offers Villa a fresh platform
The result in France also came at an important moment for Villa, who were seeking momentum after a difficult spell in domestic competition. The club remains fourth in the Premier League as they pursue a place in next season’s Champions League, while winning the Europa League would provide another route into the tournament.
Before the trip to Lille, Villa had gone four matches without a victory in all competitions, a run that included defeats against Newcastle, Chelsea, and bottom-placed Wolves. The European success therefore offered a chance to regain confidence ahead of a demanding sequence of fixtures.
Captain John McGinn, who returned to the side, described the win as a chance to reset after a challenging month. Speaking to TNT Sports, he admitted the team had struggled recently but stressed that the result could serve as a foundation for improvement.
McGinn added that the performance showed glimpses of the team’s usual level, though he acknowledged there is still progress to be made. Villa now faces a demanding league encounter away against third-placed Manchester United, making the upcoming schedule particularly challenging.
Emery uses European struggles as motivation
Emery revealed that he had drawn attention to the difficulties experienced by English clubs in Europe earlier in the week to motivate his players before kickoff. Several Premier League sides had endured tough results in the Champions League, a reminder of how challenging continental away matches can be.
The Villa manager stressed the importance of respecting the Europa League and understanding the demands of playing on foreign soil. According to Emery, every match in the competition presents a unique challenge, particularly when travelling away from home.
By securing the first-leg victory in France, Villa took an important step forward while also reinforcing the progress made under their current manager. The performance not only delivered a valuable result but also highlighted the rapid success. Emery has achieved since taking charge of the club.