Unai Emery backed to leave Aston Villa in sensational Premier League switch after latest sack news

Unai Emery has been backed to take over from Arne Slot at Liverpool in what would be an extraordinary development.

In recent days, Emery has been linked with an exit from Villa, who he has transformed into a challenger for the Premier League title.

The Villans had not finished as high as fourth in the Premier League since 1996 before the Spaniard’s arrival, but he led them to the Champions League in less than two years and now looks set to do it again.

Everton beat Villa 1-0 at Villa Park last week in a blow to Emery‘s dreams of the title, but they still remain just seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

However, the intensifying pressure on Arne Slot could see the Liverpool job become available in the coming months.

Unai Emery in running for Liverpool manager’s job

While Villa’s dreams of winning the Premier League may appear slightly speculative, there is certainly the chance of silverware.

Thursday’s 1-0 win over Fenerbahce has left Emery’s side second in the league phase of the Europa League, and set for a route through to the last-16.

And should they maintain their position after next week’s meeting with Red Bull Salzburg, the second leg of each of their knockout ties until the semi-final will be played at home.

It should not be forgotten that they have the Europa League’s most successful manager ever leading them, as well.

Emery has won the competition four times, with Sevilla on three occasions and with Villarreal in the 2020-21 season.

With a fifth Europa League win on offer, and the first with an English club, it is unlikely that the Spaniard will leave before the summer.

However, that may not rule him out of the running for the Liverpool job, should Slot be dismissed at the end of the season.

One major bookmaker has backed Emery at 8/1 to become the Reds’ next manager, while Xabi Alonso (6/4) and Jurgen Klopp (4/1) remain the favourites.

Emery can deny the narrative at Liverpool

Emery’s stints at both PSG and Arsenal have seen him branded with the tag that he fails under higher expectations.

With the French giants, the 54-year-old did eventually win Ligue 1, but his failure to win it in his opening year and his side’s struggles in the Champions League led to his departure.

His time at Arsenal was simply disastrous. The end of Emery’s first year in charge saw his side collapse, losing out on the top four and suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of Chelsea in the Europa League final.

After a terrible start to his second season, the Spaniard was dismissed and replaced by Mikel Arteta.

There is an acknowledgement that Emery had it tough replacing Arsene Wenger, but a job like the one potentially available at Liverpool could be what separates the Villa boss from the credit he deserves.

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