Aston Villa have underlined their commitment to new boss Unai Emery by handing him the longest managerial contract in the club’s history.
Emery was confirmed as the Villans new boss last week, although he is yet to officially start the job yet as he awaits his work visa.
Aston Villa pushed the boat out to get the former Arsenal boss, paying £5.2m in compensation to release him from his deal at Villarreal and a bumper pay deal.
It has also now emerged that the deal commits the Spaniard to Villa for at least four-and-a-half years. That eclipses the three-and-a-half years offered to previous boss Steven Gerrard and the four-year deal signed by Remi Garde in 2015.
Villa’s commitment to Emery is further highlighted by his plans to bring in up to eight new members of backroom staff in a major clear out that will see caretaker boss Aaron Danks potentially moved into a new role.
The club currently sit just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League following the 4-0 thrashing at Newcastle, although owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are determined to get the club back into European competition.
Emery has huge pedigree there, with him winning the Europa League four times with Sevilla and Villarreal.
