Paul Merson has backed Unai Emery’s Aston Villa to be a ‘surprise package’ during the forthcoming 2023/24 Premier League season.
The former Aston Villa player thinks the Midlands side can secure a ‘top six finish’ after ending the last campaign in seventh, as he told Sportskeeda.
Whilst the club made a return to Europe, it wasn’t all rosy in the garden because, at one point, it looked like they were going to get dragged into an unexpected relegation fight.
That was under the stewardship of Steve Gerrard, but Villa didn’t waste any time in booting him out in November and bringing in the genius of Unai Emery.
That proved to be a masterstroke of a move because only Treble-winners Manchester City picked up more points since his arrival.
It ended with a seventh-placed finish and a Europa Conference League place, as Merson is expecting Villa to go again.
“Aston Villa could push for a European place yet again this season,” said Merson. “They’ve got Conference League fixtures this season, and we’ll have to see how they deal with that.
“They’ve got a great manager and an excellent squad, and they could finish in the top six.”
Emery – the genius behind Villa’s work
What a job the Spaniard is doing at Villa Park and it can get much, much better during these next 12 months.
From John McGinn to Ollie Watkins, you haven’t seen so many players talk so highly about their manager and how he has vastly improved them on the training pitch.
Emery’s eye for detail and having more meetings than games is a big reason behind the club’s rise and outstanding performances.
And now, with one of Europe’s best coaches at their disposal, not only can Villa finish in the top six next season, but they should also be winning the Europa Conference League.
The last time Emery was in the Champions League, he reached the semi-finals with Villarreal, whilst he won four Europa League titles with Villarreal and Sevilla, so he should win the Europa Conference League in his sleep.
