‘The finest moment in Emery’s brilliant Villa rebuild’

Unai Emery paid his respects to Aston Villa’s glorious past while offering up the enticing prospect of a golden future on one of Villa Park’s greatest nights.

The 1982 European Cup Final victory over Bayern was relived by Villa’s legends in the build-up to this Champions League meeting with the Bundesliga giants, Emery more than happy to accept the weight of history he carried into the club’s first game in this competition for 41 years.

And while nothing can touch the 1-0 win Peter Withe’s goal gave Villa in Rotterdam all those years ago, this famous win that re-established Villa in Europe’s elite group will make memories forever for all those who witnessed it as that scoreline was repeated on a night rich in drama and gripping tension.

The headlines will be grabbed by substitute Jhon Duran, scoring the 79th-minute winner with his fifth goal off the bench this season, and keeper Emiliano Martinez for a stunning last-second save from Harry Kane’s header.

But the true architect of this victory, and this stunning Villa renaissance made a sharp exit with a beaming smile pumping his fists around an ecstatic Villa Park surrounded by a wall of noise.

Villa’s win is the finest moment in Emery’s brilliant rebuild, this European specialist on the sort of territory he enjoys after taking his team into the top four last season.

The sign of how far this club has come can be illustrated by the fact it was six years ago that an angry Villa fan threw a cabbage at then manager Steve Bruce in disgust following a draw with Preston North End.

Emery only gets thrown bouquets, his hero status confirmed by his face at the centre of huge flag dropped from The Holte End moments before kick-off.

Villa were only three points off the relegation zone when Emery succeeded sacked Steven Gerrard in October 2022. The transformation has been remarkable.

When Villa were searching for Gerrard’s replacement, Emery was on a four-man list with Ruben Amorim, now much-coveted at Sporting Lisbon, Mauricio Pochettino and Julen Lopetegui.

Emery, who had rejected Newcastle United at the 11th-hour, was particularly favoured by owner Nassef Sawiris, unmoved by his sacking at Arsenal. He was more impressed by Emery winning the Europa League three times with Sevilla and a fourth at Villarreal and his ability to fashion formidable teams. The Spaniard even reached the final in his supposed one full season of struggle at Arsenal.

The feeling was that Emery was perhaps walking into a difficult situation at Emirates Stadium as successor to Arsene Wenger and that his record was not as bad in hindsight as others thought.

Pochettino was unlikely to come back into football with Villa at that stage but there were no doubts about Emery’s pedigree and his suitability for Villa.

He is the driving force behind Villa’s renewal, his imprint all over this win against Bayern, from the fierce defensive organisation to the midfield pressing and a winner on the counter attack, Duran lifting Pau Torres’ long pass over the stranded Manuel Neuer.

Emery’s shrewd strategy also unsettled Bayern, with a more direct approach targeting defender Dayot Upamecano with Ollie Watkins running in behind. He was also aware of Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer’s habit of playing as a sweeper keeper, which led directly to Duran’s goal. The ploy worked to perfection.

Mention what Emery brings and one Villa insider told BBC Sport: “Attention to detail. An incredible work ethic. Down time does not exist as far as Unai is concerned. He is incredible and he is getting the rewards that work ethic deserves. He also respectful to everyone at the club and very popular.”

Emery arrives around 8am at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training HQ and staff using the gym at the centre are used to the sight of the manager arriving at 8.30pm after finishing at his desk, gathering details on his iPad while on the exercise bike before even making notes while using the rowing machine.

He turns to his laptop once the formalities of a game are completed, sitting at the front of Villa’s coach focusing immediately on the next match, the next opponent.

He has brought 23 Spanish coaches into Bodymoor Heath, a sign of Villa’s trust and investment in Emery, but he has ensured they have totally integrated with those already there in a calm and welcoming atmosphere. There is mutual respect from all at Bodymoor Heath, an environment fostered by Emery, whose English is said to be much better than some might expect.

Emery, who was joined by long-time associate in Monchi, who was with him at Sevilla, as president of football operations while the appointment of the experienced Pako Ayestaran as his right-hand man was an ideal choice.

Ayestaran was Rafael Benitez’s assistant when he enjoyed early success winning the Champions League and FA Cup at Liverpool. It was never quite the same at Anfield after he left, perhaps no co-incidence as the 61-year-old is a personable and highly-respected figure with great knowledge of the Premier League and the game in general.

Emery, who also has the trusted Damian Vidagany at his side, was not afraid to keep members of Gerrard’s staff, such as the outstanding set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, a workaholic in the mode of his manager.

He identifies quality and nurtures it, especially in players, who are helped by relentless and specific video analysis, with Ollie Watkins a particular beneficiary.

Emery is also getting the best out of the unpredictable maverick Duran, albeit as a substitute. He needs careful handling and the manager has proved adept in this area.

Since his first weekend in charge on 5 November 2022, Villa have the fifth most wins and fifth most home wins in the Premier League, with only Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal ahead of them.

Bayern certainly know all about Emery’s European expertise. They had not lost a game in the group stage since September 2017 when they were beaten 3-0 by Paris St. Germain. Their coach? Unai Emery.

Emery and Villa now have six points from their two opening Champions League games against Young Boys of Switzerland and now Bayern – and under his expert guidance few will relish this environment under this coach.

Aston Villa have the 5th most wins and 5th most home wins of any Premier League side since the weekend of his first game in charge.

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.