Aston Villa manager Unai Emery led the Villans to European glory in Istanbul on Wednesday night, winning their fifth Europa League title and continuing to finish in the Premier League’s top five this season.
Unai Emery celebrates on the shoulders of Emi Martinez (Image: 2026 Aston Villa FC)
As a reward for Aston Villa’s Europa League win, Unai Emery will receive an increase in his transfer budget of up to £100m.
Emery was the toast of Villa as they defeated Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul, leading them to their first European trophy since 1982. The historic victory was also the club’s first silver medal in 30 years and saw stars such as John McGinn and Ollie Watkins party with Prince William.
Emery is currently planning to storm Villa in next season’s Champions League. The Spaniard led Villa to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition last season, but they lost 5-4 to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. And Emery believes that if they can strengthen their team this summer, they can advance to the top of the Champions League next time.
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Emery is expected to meet with co-owner Nassef Sawaris in the coming weeks to set out his spending plans.
Emery, who led his team and staff in an open-top bus parade through Birmingham on Thursday, is keen to strengthen his midfield and has targeted Celta Vigo star IX Moriba.
He also has Fulham’s Harry Wilson and Como’s Jesús Rodriguez on his summer shopping list, and is keen to sign Youri Tielemans.
read more: Marcus Rashford continues to wait for Barcelona move, contacts Aston Villaread more: Tears of joy and beers in the dressing room as Prince William celebrates inside Aston Villa
Emery will have to work within the Premier League’s PSR regulations, which will result in Jadon Sancho being released from his loan contract to be exempt from any salary claims from the club. And Sawaris intends to support the coach in any way he can.
The Egyptian billionaire was in Istanbul to watch Villa lift his first silverware. And he thinks more trophies could follow.
“It’s amazing. It means so much. I can’t express it in words,” Sawaris said.
“It’s very special. In the eight years we’ve been riding, we’ve seen what Unai’s and the whole team’s efforts can pay off here.
“It’s a great victory. And the sky is the limit.”
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