Revealed: Unai Emery has had ‘fall-outs’ with two Aston Villa stars
During his incredible debut season at Aston Villa, Unai Emery reportedly got into arguments with several players who didn’t agree with his managerial style, sources exclusively revealed to Football Insider.
Editor Wayne Veysey disclosed to Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast that Emiliano Martinez and Youri Tielemans are two players who have experienced “fallouts” with the Spaniard, who is regarded as a severe disciplinarian both on game day and in the training area.
Football Insider has been informed by sources that Emery and the Argentine goalkeeper had a tense relationship at times during their time at Arsenal. The manager was even open to receiving bids for the player during the previous two transfer windows.
Football Insider was also informed by sources that Tielemans and Emery did not get along well at the beginning of the season, as the player was having trouble adjusting to the manager’s techniques and, as a result, was not able to make the team.
By that point, the player and the team were even open to the Belgian moving on to another team—remarkably, as early as January.
After matters were resolved by Tielemans and Emery, he has started four of the last five games for the Villans, including crucial wins against Man City and Arsenal at home in their previous two games. However, out of his 1160 minutes played throughout all competitions this season, those are his only four league starts.
The summer signing from Leicester City has previously voiced his opinion on his lack of opportunities in the Villa side.
Speaking before the last international break and quoted by Birmingham Live (8 September), the Belgian told reporters that his situation is “not pleasant” at Aston Villa.
The midfielder revealed he told manager Emery that “I came to Villa to play” – and insisted the Spaniard’s response to the situation “doesn’t help me move forward”.
Martinez, despite the tension between the two, has started all but one Premier League game this season and missed their early clash against Burnley through injury.
Every player is treated equally by Emery, who has high expectations of them all. Practices are meticulously planned and customized to meet his needs on game days.
In just over a year, since his arrival at Villa Park in October of last year, he has turned the team from relegation contenders to European contenders.
Villa finished first in Group E and advanced to the Europa Conference League knockout stages. They are presently ranked third in the standings.
The next visit is on Sunday, December 17, to Brentford in the Premier League in west London.
Also, according to sources, Aston Villa’s owners plan to finance a major January signing spree.
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