Rise of the Villains: Inside Unai Emery’s Aston Villa Revolution

Featuring exclusive interviews with Unai Emery, Monchi, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, Pau Torres and more, this is the behind-the-scenes account of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa revolution, from the award-winning Sunday Times bestseller Guillem Balagué.

In October 2022, Unai Emery was appointed manager of Aston Villa. Despite being one of England’s most historic football clubs, Emery was taking charge of a team in turmoil and hovering above the relegation zone in the Premier League. But in his very first match, Villa produced a statement victory, deftly beating Manchester United 3-1 at Villa Park. It was a sign of things to come.

Guillem Balagué has had unparalleled access to Unai Emery, his backroom staff and the Aston Villa squad ever since the Spaniard was appointed manager in 2022. From Emery’s early years growing up in the Basque region to becoming one of the most exciting coaches managing today, Rise of the Villans reveals the inner workings of Emery’s psyche. Featuring exclusive interviews with Emery himself, as well as key players such as Villa captain John McGinn and star striker Ollie Watkins, it charts the journeys of both Emery and Aston Villa over the last three decades, offering a comprehensive and compelling narrative of why they are the perfect match.

Exploring Emery’s management of the Midlands side, the book outlines how he has transformed them into an exciting side renowned for their direct passing, high energy and devastating counter attacks. After a 7th placed finish in his first season in charge, Emery’s Villa continued their fine form in the 2023-24 season, finishing 4th and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in over four decades.

With the Holte End roaring into life as Villa Park welcomed the return of European football’s most prestigious club competition, it was clear for all to see: Unai Emery had awoken the sleeping giant.

Guillem Balagué is an award-winning football author, journalist and presenter who works regularly for BBC Radio 5 Live, LaLiga TV and the American network CBS.

His books include A Season on the Brink: A Portrait of Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool;Pep Guardiola: Another Way of Winning; Messi: The Definitive Biography; Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography which won the Football Book of the Year Award at the British Sports Book Awards and the Best Football Book of 2016 in Poland; Brave New World: Inside Pochettino’s Spurs and Maradona: The Boy, The Rebel, The God. All of Guillem’s books have been Sunday Times bestsellers in the UK, and each has been shortlisted for various category awards.

He is also chairman of non-league Biggleswade FC.