Yahoo News Exciting Aston Villa Champions League prediction made as Monchi and Unai Emery a 'potent mix'
Aston Villa have been backed to build on a terrific season, with the “potent mix” of Unai Emery and Monchi making them well prepared for their Champions League adventure.
The dust has barely settled on the 2023/24 campaign and Villa’s top-four finish, but there is already a sense of anticipation over what comes next. Being in the Champions League brings with it challenges as well as plenty of excitement.
However, former Villa chief executive Keith Wyness believes his old club can handle the test ahead. He says in transfer guru Monchi, who became president of football operations last summer, they have the “best in the world” and he can continue to work effectively with manager Emery.
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“Monchi, the sporting director, hasn’t got enough praise for what he’s done,” Wyness told Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast. “He’s probably the best sporting director in the world – or at least that I’m aware of. He’s got massive European experience with Sevilla and has worked wonders with them in the past.
“It’s going to be an interesting next season for Villa. I think they’re prepared, and they have the right knowledge in the right areas.
“Having Monchi and Unai Emery together is a potent mix and having these people in place are giving the club momentum. They are another club who will be really chasing hard next season.”
Emery has already outlined some of his plans for a big summer. Speaking before the final game of the season, he said: "We are going to try to individually analyse each situation and try to take the best decision with every player.
"When we finish the season completely on Sunday we are going to sit with the club, Monchi, Damian (Vidagany), with myself, with Wes Edens and we are going to take decisions. We haven't decided yet about each one, whether they will be with us in the future or not."
