VILLARREAL manager Unai Emery is favourite for the Aston Villa job.
That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve SLASHED their price on the Spanish tactician filling the vacant position at Villa Park.
Former Arsenal boss Emery, 50, was available at 11/1 following Steven Gerrard’s departure last week.
However, he’s now offered at 10/11 with reports suggesting he’s prepared to speak with Aston Villa executives in the coming days.
Villarreal are currently seventh in LaLiga with 18 points from their opening 11 fixtures.
He’s contracted to the Spanish side until June 2023, but his deal is thought to include a release clause.
Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino were Villa’s first-choice options but both have distanced themselves from the role.
Emery endured a difficult time in English football with reports claiming his Arsenal players openly mocked his accent and broken English.
But he still left the Emirates with a 55% win percentage having won 43 of his 78 matches in charge, and took the Gunners to a European final in 2019.
Betfair odds
He’s still considered by many to be among the best coaches of the modern era having subsequently won a record FOURTH Europa League title with Villarreal in 2020-21.
He also reached the Champions League semi finals the following year.
Ruben Amorim is next in the betting at 4/1.
The highly-rated former Portugal international is widely regarded as one of the most talented young managers in Europe.
He led Sporting to their first league title in 19 years in 2020-21, and subsequently the Primeira Liga’s manager of the season.
Sean Dyche and Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers follow next at 10/1 and 11/1 respectively, while Pochettino and Thomas Frank are further behind at 14s.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
*Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
A responsible gambler is someone who:
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
