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Rise of the Villans: Inside Unai Emery's Aston Villa Revolution

Guillem Balague

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'BRILLIANT, REVEALS DELIGHTFUL DETAILS ABOUT EMERY' The Times

'A BACKSTAGE PASS TO THE MAKING OF A MODERN FOOTBALL IDENTITY' Midlands Gazette

Featuring exclusive interviews with Unai Emery, Monchi, Morgan Rogers and more, this is the behind-the-scenes account of Unai Emery's Aston Villa revolution, from the award-winning bestseller Guillem Balague.

In October 2022, Unai Emery was appointed manager of Aston Villa. Despite being one of England's most historic 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; in his first full season in charge, Emery would lead the club to a top four finish - qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in over four decades.

Guillem Balague has had unparalleled access to Unai Emery, his backroom staff and the Villa squad ever since the Spaniard was appointed manager in 2022. From growing up in the Basque region to becoming one of the most exciting coaches today, Rise of the Villans reveals the inner workings of Emery's psyche. Guillem takes readers inside Bodymoor Heath to show how Unai has transformed Villa into an exciting side renowned for their direct passing, high energy and devastating counter attacks. At the core of the book are Villa's passionate fans, who outline why they believe club and manager are the perfect match.

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.

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Guillem Balague

Guillem Balague

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

His books include A Season on the Brink; Pep Guardiola: Another Way of Winning; Messi; Cristiano Ronaldo; Brave New World: Inside Pochettino's Spurs; Maradona: The Boy, The Rebel, The God; Rise of the Villans: Inside Unai Emery's Aston Villa Revolution and BarA a Captains: The Leaders That Built the World's Greatest Football Club. Several of Guillem's books have been Sunday Times bestsellers in the UK, and shortlisted for various book awards.

He is also chairman of Biggleswade United.

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