Aston Villa have been linked with some prestigious managers since sacking Steven Gerrard just three days ago.

Whilst Mauricio Pochettino was the most renowned name touted, it swiftly was made clear that this would be a step too low for the Argentine who was most recently the boss of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain.

There was, however, another name of similar stature that persists, despite he too being a world-class manager, and that is Unai Emery.

The Spaniard already has experience in England, as well as across Europe at every level. He most recently led his Villarreal side to the Champions League semi-finals but has also won the Europa League four times.

If Johan Lange was to tempt him to make the move to Villa Park, it could be the catalyst to getting the supporters back onside after the tumultuous and often polarising nature of the previous regime.

Although Emery’s football is not the most enthralling, if it were to secure results, it would not take long for him to be revered across the Midlands.

He boasts tactical flexibility that would make him a fine addition to the Villans and following their comprehensive win over Brentford yesterday it is pleasing to know that he favours a 4-2-3-1 formation - the set-up which worked so well against the Bees.

It is no surprise that journalist Ben Figo labelled him a “master tactician” and “one of the best coaches in the world”.

The 50-year-old likes to enforce a defence rigidity, bolstered by a free-flowing counterattack that could benefit the tricky forwards they possess.

Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Buendia and many more would thrive under these conditions.

The fact that it is a possibility, despite his pedigree, can be traced back to Newcastle United’s manager search back in November 2021, where the Villarreal boss was reportedly keen on a return to England but had a Champions League run to contend with.

Now that his side is only in the Europa Conference League, perhaps it could mark a chance for Lange to tempt him to return to the place where he impressed with Arsenal despite being ridiculed out of the country.

He has proved just how good he can be at almost every club he has overseen, but Villa could be his biggest challenge yet. His mere presence alone would almost certainly get the supporters rocking though.