Aston Villa send public message to Man Utd over Unai Emery's future

Aston Villa have publicly stated that Unai Emery is committed to staying beyond his current contract following positive discussions with club chiefs. The Spaniard has been strongly linked with replacing Michael Carrick at Manchester United but Villa seem to be ensuring he stays put for the foreseeable future.

Emery will be at Old Trafford this weekend as United host Villa in Premier League action. A 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and draw with Fulham last Saturday sees Villa head north in need of a positive result before the November international break.

Despite a disappointing last few days, Emery has clearly proven himself during a four-year spell with Villa and that has prompted discussions between the 55-year-old, chairman Nassef Sawiris and club chiefs Roberto Olabe and Damian Vidagany over securing his long-term future.

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In a very transparent club statement, Villa confirmed that a meeting between all of those parties happened on Wednesday with "positive discussions" taking place.

Their update read: "Aston Villa held an important working meeting today to plan the club's future and lay the foundations for its long-term sporting and institutional project.

"The meeting brought together Nassef Sawiris, the club's Chairman and Unai Emery alongside President of Football Operations Roberto Olabe and Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany.

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"The discussions focused on jointly planning the club's long-term strategic direction, with positive discussions establishing a clear commitment beyond 2029 for the joint development of the club under the sporting leadership of Unai Emery based on the shared ambitions and common goal to reach excellency and keep growing during the next years.

"The objective is clear: to build an ambitious, competitive Aston Villa capable of taking on the biggest challenges and achievements."

Emery signed a five-year contract extension in May 2024 - 18 months on from joining the club - but it certainly looks as though he plans to remain in charge heading into the next decade.

According to The Telegraph, Emery is in advanced talks over a new deal at Villa which would nip rumours of a move to United in the bud. It would have cost the latter £20million to release him from his current contract.

United are still considering a change in the dugout having won just two games all season prior to Tuesday's sensational 3-2 comeback triumph over AS Roma.