Alan Shearer “absolutely loved” Unai Emery celebrating against Arsenal – the club he once managed – as he masterminded a victory for Aston Villa.
The Midlands outfit produced a stunning away day performance to shock the Premier League title chasers. Two goals in the final ten minutes proved enough to land the three points as Emery’s side continued their charge towards the Champions League.
Emery was appointed Arsene Wenger’s successor in 2018 and lasted just shy of 18 months before he was axed. Mikel Arteta came in to replace him but Emery has since claimed silverware with Villarreal and now has Villa flying high in the English top flight.
His previous association with the Gunners certainly didn’t stop the 52-year-old from basking in the glory at the Emirates. Emery cut an animated figure on the touchline and celebrated madly when Villa took the lead through Leon Bailey, before Ollie Watkins doubled their lead.
Shearer said on Match of the Day: “I absolutely love this [Emery celebrating]. Forget about not celebrating against a former club nonsense. It was a tactical masterclass. He’s done the double over his old club. What a job he is doing, what a season.”
Villa had already beaten Arsenal at Villa Park several months ago, owing to a John McGinn strike. Their home form has been terrific but they went to north London as firm underdogs before producing in the latter stages to leave the Gunners licking their wounds.
Emery said after the three points: “Very proud of the players, beating Arsenal here is very difficult and we needed to play and be focused 100% and being very demanding in everything and more organised defensively.
“We needed the biggest commitment to do better than we did against Manchester City, that was the sample we used for this match and then, tried to face them playing in this level because this is the level I want to get to with our players and progressively, we are getting better.”
Villa now hold a three-point lead over Tottenham in fifth, but have played a game more than their rivals. It looks as only the top four will land a spot in next season’s Champions League with fifth spot potentially missing out due to UEFA’s coefficient rankings.