Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery is close to agreeing a contract extension that would give him greater responsibility for the club's long-term development. Talks with the hierarchy on Wednesday covered the club's future, with all parties keen to extend his stay at Villa Park. Emery would relish an expanded role in shaping the club's long-term trajectory, and discussions continue over the finer details, finances and length of the new deal. An announcement is unlikely before the weekend.
Since arriving four years ago, the Spaniard has transformed Villa from a side battling relegation into a regular European qualifier, culminating in Europa League glory in May – the club's first major trophy in 30 years. His current contract runs until 2029, but the new agreement would push that commitment further. Emery has been linked with a move to Manchester United, whom Villa face at Old Trafford this weekend, should they part ways with boss Michael Carrick.
On Wednesday night Villa confirmed a meeting between Emery, chairman Nassef Sawiris and executives Roberto Olabe and Damian Vidagany. The club stated the discussions focused on "jointly planning the club's long-term strategic direction" and establishing "a clear commitment beyond 2029 for the joint development of the club under the sporting leadership of Unai Emery". The objective is to build an ambitious, competitive Aston Villa capable of taking on the biggest challenges.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing