The Incredible Premier League Table Since Aston Villa Appointed Unai Emery

Unai Emery has masterminded an incredible turnaround at Aston Villa since being appointed as manager in November 2022. The Spanish coach has transformed Villa’s fortunes, leading them to become one of the Premier League’s in-form teams over the past year. When examining the Premier League table from the time Emery was hired, it is evident just how impressive Villa’s results have been under his stewardship.

Villa’s Struggles Before Emery’s Appointment

Heading into November 2022, Aston Villa were struggling badly under previous manager Steven Gerrard. After 11 games, Villa had won just 2 matches and were languishing dangerously close to the relegation zone. Morale was low after a 3-0 defeat to Fulham, leaving the club’s hierarchy with no choice but to sack Gerrard.

Villa turned to the experienced Emery to steady the ship, who at the time was managing Villarreal in La Liga. There was cautious optimism about Emery’s pedigree, given his track record of winning the Europa League four times previously. However, there were also questions about whether he could succeed in the Premier League after a turbulent spell with Arsenal.

Instant Improvement Under Emery

Any doubts about Emery were quickly put to bed, as he had an immediate impact at Villa Park. In his first match in charge, Villa claimed a crucial 3-1 win away at Manchester United. This kicked off a run of just 2 defeats in Emery’s first 10 league games, lifting Villa away from trouble up to 11th in the table.

The uptick in performances and results was drastic. Emery tightened up Villa’s previously porous defense and made them a much harder side to beat. He also got the best out of key attackers like Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey, who thrived in Emery’s aggressive, high-pressing system.

Sustained Success Over the Past Year

While the initial revival was impressive, even more remarkable has been Aston Villa’s sustained success under Emery over the past year. Since his first game in charge in November 2022, Villa have taken 62 points from a possible 96 in the Premier League. This puts them fourth in the Premier League table over that period of time.

To put into perspective how staggering this achievement is, Villa have earned more points than traditional powerhouses like Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea during Emery’s reign. They have taken points off all the traditional ‘Big Six’, including wins over United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Emery has built a balanced, hard-working side in his image that makes Villa tough to beat. Defensive solidity has been a key pillar, with the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa thriving under Emery’s structure. In attack, Leon Bailey and Emi Buendía have stepped up to become consistent contributors alongside Ollie Watkins.

European Qualification and Progress This Season

The fruits of Emery’s labor were evident last season, as he led Villa to a seventh-placed finish and secured Europa Conference League qualification. This term, Villa are progressing even further under the Spaniard’s guidance.

After 25 matches so far in 2022/23, Villa are eighth in the Premier League and have advanced to the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. There is a real sense Emery could guide the club to a top six finish and European football next season. After years of underachievement, Aston Villa finally look like a club back on the up again thanks to their brilliant manager.

How Does Villa’s Form Compare to the Top Sides?

Looking at the Premier League table since November 2022, the extent of Aston Villa’s improvement under Emery is crystal clear. Villa’s 62 points over this period puts them fourth in the Premier League, above the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Only the top three of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have earned more points than Emery’s Villa during his tenure. Arsenal’s 70 points edges them above Villa, while Liverpool have amassed 67 points. Meanwhile, champions Manchester City lead the way with 78 points.

Yet Villa have collected more points than any other club outside this elite top three over the past year. To put their form into perspective, here is how the rest of the Premier League shapes up over this timeframe:

• Manchester City – 78 points
• Arsenal – 70 points
• Liverpool – 67 points – Aston Villa – 62 points
• Manchester United – 60 points
• Newcastle United – 59 points
• Brighton – 59 points
• Tottenham – 51 points
• Brentford – 50 points
• Fulham – 41 points
• Crystal Palace – 40 points
• West Ham – 39 points
• Wolves – 38 points
• Nottingham Forest – 36 points
• Bournemouth – 29 points
• Chelsea – 28 points
• Everton – 26 points

This table demonstrates just how phenomenal Villa’s transformation under Emery has been compared to their rivals. The improvement from the relegation zone to the top four highlights the Spaniard’s immense impact at Villa Park.

Conclusion

In just over a year at the helm, Unai Emery has engineered a superb revival at Aston Villa. Their Premier League form and table position since he took charge puts them up alongside the league’s elite clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. Emery has made Villa defensively solid, attacking threats once more and has them competing for Europe. For a club that looked directionless 12 months ago, the turnaround is nothing short of remarkable. Emery’s astute management and tactical acumen has been pivotal in Villa’s rise back amongst the Premier League’s best sides.