Conor Coady has made a claim about Aston Villa that he admits he probably would not have been able to say had he still been at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Unai Emery is rightly receiving all kinds of plaudits right now. The Villans have been outstanding all season, battling in and around the top-four and fighting for a place in next year’s Champions League.

And one of their performances of the season came at the weekend. Villa, of course, beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates to put a major dent in their title hopes.

It was not just the result, or the fact that the Villans have now done the double over the Gunners in the Premier League this season, but the manner of the display was outstanding.

Villa absolutely deserved the three points against Mikel Arteta’s side. And with that, many will now be confident that Emery’s side will find themselves at European football’s top table next year.

Conor Coady makes Aston Villa admission

Certainly, Conor Coady has been amazed by their success this season. Speaking on The Monday Night Club, he admitted that he is a huge fan of what Emery has done – even if that may not make him too popular with fans of his former club.

“It’s incredible, not many people could predict Aston Villa being in the Champions League,” he said.

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“First and foremost, I think the manager’s been incredible. I think how he goes about his business, the interviews he’s given, where he’s gone, leaving Arsenal a few years ago and what he’s gone on and done has been incredible.

“And now, this season, I love watching his teams, I’ll be honest. And I’ve not said that often because I was a Wolves player for many, many years. I’ve not often liked watching Aston Villa teams, but I just think he’s a credit.”

What not enough people are saying about job Unai Emery has done

Sometimes it is important to just reflect on the job Emery took on when he came in. Yes, Villa have incredibly ambitious owners. And he inherited some outstanding players.

But Steven Gerrard was sacked when Villa were outside the relegation zone only on goals scored.

It has been less than 18 months since Emery was appointed. And yet, Villa are now on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League, after a season in which they have beaten Arsenal twice and Manchester City.

Season	Aston Villa’s league finish
2014/15	17th
2015/16	20th
2016/17	13th (Championship)
2017/18	4th (Championship)
2018/19	5th (Championship)
2019/20	17th
2020/21	11th
2021/22	14th
2022/23	7th
2023/24	4th*

Villa’s surge up the table was always on the cards. But few could have foreseen how quick it would be before Emery came in.

And what should excite Vila fans is that they probably have not reached their ceiling just yet.