Could Emery be tempted to leave Villa?

[BBC] In part two of Tuesday's Aston Villa Q&A with football reporter Nick Mashiter, he addresses Unai Emery's future and whether the summer exits have been adequately replaced. Martyn asked: Do you think Emery's head will ever be turned by an approach from a bigger club where he is not going to be financially strangled by 'the rules'? Nick: Emery has built things up and would not have the control he does at Villa Park at any other club. That is the biggest strength the club has in terms of ensuring Emery stays and remains happy but, of course, the manager has ambitions - that is clear within his personality. He is an elite manager - he may not be at the top of that bracket but I feel he is in there - yet he has not achieved what he would have wanted to at the 'elite' clubs he has previously managed - Paris St-Germain and Arsenal . Emery's time in Paris will always be linked to the 6–1 defeat at Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 in 2017 . It is called La Remontada (The Comeback) in Spain after PSG blew a 4–0 first-leg lead. He still won five major trophies - including Ligue 1 in 2018 - but not the Champions League and that dominated PSG's thinking until they finally lifted it last year for the first time, before defending their title in May. Following Arsene Wenger at Arsenal was an almost impossible task. I feel Manchester United should have gone all out for Emery in the summer (even if that meant changing their model). But the point remains that he has control at Villa - even with restrictions - and any next move would not guarantee him the same level. [Getty Images] Liam asked: Have Aston Villa adequately replaced the players who left in the summer, or are some - Nicolas Jackson for Ollie Watkins, Johan Manzambi for Youri Tielemans and Zion Suzuki for Emi Martinez - even upgrades? Nick: There are positive signs, especially after the win at Tottenham , with Jackson, Manzambi and Suzuki all playing key roles. They all need time to adjust to what Emery demands of them and the influence and impact of those who have left cannot be forgotten. Villa wanted to lower the average age of the squad in the summer - and they have certainly done that - and they see Suzuki, for example, as someone who can be a crucial player for 10 years. Watkins' work-rate and threat was key for Villa. Jackson will need to replicate that and Emery said he executed his instructions perfectly in the victory at Spurs before the break. He should only improve with more time. Manzambi has had to wait following a knee injury but he has already made his mark with a goal and assist on his full debut at Tottenham. Time will tell how they gel and develop. Villa achieved what they wanted in the summer - they just need to deliver now. Read more: How Manzambi became one of Europe's best young talents Stu asked: Does Emery expect Victor Lindelof to be first choice centre-back for the season? Nick: Lindelof has not let Villa down since joining on a free transfer in summer 2025. Whether at centre-back or holding midfield, the Swede has the trust of Emery, which is the most important thing. He only started 11 Premier League games last season, with Ezri Konsa still at the club, but made 10 Europa League appearances, including in midfield in the semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest , and started the final. Emery knows what he can deliver. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are obviously the other centre-back options, with Harwood-Bellis still to adapt at Villa after his £30m move from Southampton . Once he does acclimatise to Emery's demands, there would be an expectation the 24-year-old will secure a starting place, even if he has been left out of the Champions League squad. Emery has been relying on Mings' experience and knowledge of his methods to help the squad through their transition, so his influence is also key. It can be argued Villa are weakest at centre-back and they have only kept four Premier League clean sheets in 2026. However, in Lindelof, Emery has a lieutenant he can count on.