Breaking News: Unai Emery leaves Villarreal to join Aston Villa

Unai Emery has left Villareal to join Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard's replacement. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Aston Villa can confirm the appointment of Unai Emery as the first team coach at the club, replacing Steven Gerrard who was relieved of his duties just over a week ago.

Former Arsenal head coach Unai Emery joins Villa from Spanish La Liga side Villareal on a three-year deal and he will resume duties on the 1^st of November with a fixture against Manchester United, another baptism of fire for the well-traveled Spaniard.

In his first coming in England, Emery resumed with two hefty fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea, he lost both but went on a rampaging run of 22 games without defeat but ultimately fell short of top-four finish by just two points at the end of the season.

Villa has endured a difficult start to the season; their 4-0 win over Brentford on Sunday surprised many and also lifted them out of the drop zone but a run of fixtures against top teams in the coming weeks would be a huge test for a team in transition.

Emery holds the record as the most successful manager in the UEFA Europa League with a hattrick of triumphs and then he won the league title at PSG. Emery leaves Villareal in a decent 7^th place on the log, level on points with Athletic Bilbao in 6^th.