Unai Emery back in the Premier League after succeeding Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa boss

Villa sacked Gerrard last Thursday after the Midlands club following a 3-0 defeat away to Fulham

Unai Emery takes over an Aston Villa sie thas has won three Premier League matches all season. Getty Images

Unai Emery has been named the new manager of Aston Villa as the Spaniard returns to the Premier League for a second stint.

Villa sacked Steven Gerrard last Thursday following a 3-0 defeat away to Fulham.

Under Gerrard, Villa had collected just nine points from 11 games this season. They are 14th in the standings with 12 points.

"Aston Villa is delighted to announce the appointment of Unai Emery as the club's new head coach," Villa said in a statement.

"Unai will take over from November 1 after his work permit formalities are completed."

Aaron Danks oversaw Sunday's 4-0 Premier League win over Brentford, only Villa's third win of the season, and will take the reins again for Saturday's trip to high-flying Newcastle United while Emery awaits his work permit.

It remains to be seen whether Danks will be a part of Emery's backroom staff for the Spaniard's first official match at home to Manchester United on November 6.

Emery's previous job in England was to replace long-serving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in 2018 but he lasted only 18 months at the North London club before he was sacked.

But while he failed to reverse a decline in Arsenal's fortunes, the 50-year-old has a proven track record of getting Spanish teams into the Champions League, finishing third in La Liga three times with Valencia.

Villarreal beat Man United to win Europa League final

VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli 8 – A surprise starter. Though he couldn’t hold on to a speculative shot from distance that lead to United’s equaliser, he looked solid enough. Got a hand to Fernandes’ penalty, and again to Shaw’s. Then, after scoring himself, he saved from David de Gea. AFP

Juan Foyth 7 – Took a blow to the head early on after a collision with Paul Pogba but was consistent in winning his aerial duels. He also had the upper hand against Marcus Rashford for much of the game, until he was replaced. Reuters

Raul Albiol 7 – Made a heavy challenge on Cavani deep into the United half and was lucky to see a deflection from Greenwood’s cross rebound into Rulli’s arms. Was instrumental in Villarreal’s goal, when he cleared the way for Moreno to head home. Converted Villarreal’s seventh penalty. Reuters

Pau Torres 7 – The in-demand defender was a formidable presence and won everything in the air. He was second to react inside the box, though, when Cavani converted the rebound following Greenwood’s volley. He made up for it by getting in the way of Cavani’s header in the last 20 minutes. EPA

Alfonso Pedraza 6 – Got beaten in a race by Mason Greenwood at the end of the first half, and though he largely had the better of his man he tired in the second half. PA

Yeremi Pino 6 – The 18-year-old looked assured in previous rounds and after scoring against Real Madrid at the weekend, he was lively again here. He had two efforts from range, but he couldn’t add to his seven goals for the season. EPA

Etienne Capoue 6 – Frustrated Bruno Fernandes throughout, though he was booked from bringing down the Portuguese midfielder in the second half and walked a tightrope for much of the last half hour. Made an excellent intervention to deny Rashford in the first half of extra-time. AFP

Dani Parejo 8 – Delivered a tantalising cross behind United’s high line for Moreno to break the deadlock, and was generally everywhere when it came to covering for his teammates. Protected the ball well in the final third. Scored his side’s fifth penalty. Getty

Manu Trigueros 6 – His highlight was when he made a late run to fashion a shot at goal at the back post, but he was stretched and ended up clearing the ball high and wide. EPA

Gerard Moreno 7 – Was forced to play deep in an effort to support his team’s defence, but then popped up at the other end with the opening goal. United’s defence lost him at a free-kick, and he glanced the ball into the net for his 30th goal of the season. Took his penalty well. PA

Carlos Bacca 7 – Delivered a cross with an impressive rabona and worked tirelessly throughout, holding the ball up and bringing others into play. EPA

SUBS: Francis Coquelin 6 (Bacca) – His arrival seemed an overly defensive play by Emeri, and it looked as though he was happy to settle for extra-time. The Frenchman found the top corner with his penalty, Villarreal’s eighth. EPA

Paco Alcacer (Pino) 5 – Joined Moreno in attack but couldn’t find the net despite having a great chance in extra-time. Tucked his penalty past De Gea’s low dive. EPA

Moi Gomez (Trigueros) 6 – Should have sealed glory but opted instead to square the ball to Moreno, who blazed wide. Converted Villarreal’s sixth penalty straight down the middle. EPA

Alberto Moreno (Pedraza) 6 – Had a great chance to score just before the 100-minute mark but blazed high and wide. Then saw a shot blocked in the second half of extra time. Struck his penalty hard and low to De Gea’s left. Reuters

Mario Gaspar (Foyth) 5 – Played a neat ball to Torres at the death in normal time but his teammate couldn’t keep it down. Villarreal’s longest-serving player scored Villarreal’s ninth penalty. Reuters

Dani Raba (Capoue) N/A – Came on in injury time and didn’t have time to make an impact… until he stroked home his penalty down the centre of the goal. AP

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 6 - Selected over Henderson on back of superior form. Distribution wasn’t 100 per cent. Beaten by a bounce on Moreno’s opener and yet another United goal conceded from a set piece. Otherwise quiet until the penalties, the final one which he missed. And then it was all over. EPA

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6 - Not always pretty going forward but a couple of good crosses. Pushed up in second and while ungainly, saw plenty of the ball as his team tired. Tackled well. AFP

Victor Lindelof 5 - Culpable in the opening goal. He pulled at Moreno’s shirt but couldn’t stop him scoring his 30th of the season. The man known as Iceman took the tenth penalty under unbearable pressure. PA

Eric Bailly 6 - Injury to Maguire meant he started against his former club. Clumsy at times – and was booked in 82nd minute as he conceded a needless foul. Found it difficult to deal with Villarreal’s two deep number 10s, but excellent interception to 94th minute attack. Then careless after 111 minutes, losing the ball. EPA

Luke Shaw 7 Superb when dispossessing Pino after 16 minutes and shot across goal after 19. Kept pushing forward and smashed a shot/cross to Cavani on 71. Stopped first Villarreal attack in extra time. Took the seventh penalty. It crept in. EPA

Scott McTominay 8 - Had to protect his defence and stop the balls being played to the two number 10s. Shot wide after 6 when he had time to set himself up. Energy to get around, a block at the other end but told off by Bruno for taking too much time on ball. Impetus at start of second when his side needed it. Got better and better as he drove forward. EPA

Paul Pogba 6 - Played more defensively than he prefers. Success in finding Rashford and one of United’s better players in the first half. Always wanted the ball, always prepared to tackle as he tried to break down the stubborn defence, but it wasn’t happening for him. Headed over after 87 and knew he should have done better. That’s where he was best though – further upfield. EPA

Marcus Rashford 5 - Dispossessed too easily in a poor first half. Beat his man before half time as United struggled to get a breakthrough. Set up by Cavani and thankfully offside as he put ball wide in a frustrating second half where he couldn’t change the game. Erratic. Took the fourth penalty. Well. EPA

Mason Greenwood 7 - Heavily involved at the start as United dominated possession. Dangerous ball into box on 45 was well defended. Featured less in second. Getty

Bruno Fernandes 6 - Little impact in first half. Or the second as Capoue pushed him deep. A shame. He’s had an excellent season and is the team’s top scorer, but the more defensive McTominay had the most touches in the opponents' half all night. Took the third penalty. Well. EPA

Edinson Cavani 7 - Brushed Pau Torres off the ball to set up United’s first chance. Intercepted, made blocks and had a first half chance himself, but furious and frustrated with his teammates and the referee. Then he scored, sneaking back onside for his sixth goal in five Europa League games. Headed a Shaw shot at Torres. Booked. Took the fifth penalty. Well. Getty

SUBS: Fred 6 - On for Greenwood after 100 minutes. Took the sixth penalty. Well. Reuters

Axel Tuanzebe 6 - On for Bailly after 115. Cleared the ball on 120 as Villarreal attacked and their fans sang ‘Yes we can!’ And then took the ninth penalty incredibly well. Reuters

Daniel James N/A - On for Pogba after 115. Took the seventh penalty. Well.

Juan Mata N/A - On for Wan Bissaka after 120. Coolly took the first penalty. Reuters

He is also the most successful coach in Europa League history, having won the title three times while at Sevilla and once with Villarreal.

Emery led Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals earlier this year, where they lost to Liverpool.

According to reports in Spain, Villa were given the go-ahead to approach Emery after paying his €6 million release clause.

A Villarreal statement said Emery had "unilaterally terminated his contract" and would hold a farewell news conference on Tuesday.

"Emery has gone down in Villarreal history as the first coach to win a title with the club, the Europa League, as well as the historic feat of reaching the Champions League semi-finals last season.

"Villarreal would like to thank Unai Emery for the work he has done and wish him the best of luck in his career."

Villarreal said the club's director of football Miguel Angel Tena would take over on an interim basis.

Unai Emery's career at Arsenal - in pictures

Arsenal's Spanish head coach Unai Emery looks dejected after the Premier League defeat to Leicester. AFP

Arsenal manager Unai Emery collects the ball during a break in play. Reuters

Arsenal manager Unai Emery looks on during the match. Reuters

Unai Emery gestures on the touchline. AFP

Arsenal have made their worst start to a top-flight season since 1982. Reuters

Arsenal's manager Unai Emery greets Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers. EPA

Arsenal have not won in five matches across competitions. AFP

Arsenal head coach Unai Emer. AFP

Arsenal's Spanish head coach Unai Emery gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on November 9, 2019. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / Oli SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.