Unai Emery is back in his happy place. After serving notice to his faltering side on Sunday, where they scored their first league goal of the season in an otherwise disastrous 1-1 draw with Sunderland , the Aston Villa manager needs the fillip that the Europa League has historically provided to him.

His four trophies, three with Sevilla and the 2021 title with Villarreal , make him the most successful manager in the history of both the competition and its predecessor, the UEFA Cup. Even when he doesn't win it, Emery finds a way to go deep: finalist with Arsenal in 2019, the quarter and semifinals with Atletico Madrid . This is a competition that galvanizes the 53-year-old and his players. That is something he desperately needs.

Right now, Aston Villa appear to be a team teete

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