Aston Villa’s long-term ambition is becoming clearer, with CEO Damià Vidagany openly admitting the club are trying to follow Manchester City’s blueprint under Pep Guardiola.
Speaking to El Pais Catalunya, Vidagany outlined how Villa’s rapid rise under Unai Emery is not accidental, but part of a wider plan built on one of the most successful models in modern football.
Aston Villa aiming to follow Manchester City model
Vidagany did not hide the influence behind Villa’s strategy.
“We look closely at City’s model under Pep Guardiola because it’s an absolute success story, and we try to replicate it.” — Damià Vidagany, via El Pais Catalunya
That statement underlines the level of ambition now driving the club. Manchester City’s dominance has become the benchmark across Europe, and Villa are positioning themselves as one of the clubs attempting to close that gap.
From what we have seen across the last two seasons, Villa’s recruitment, structure and on-pitch identity have all become more aligned, suggesting a clear direction from the top.
However, replicating that level of consistency and success is a long-term project rather than a short-term goal.
Emery partnership reshaping Aston Villa
Vidagany’s arrival at Villa Park came after a direct call from Unai Emery in 2022, reigniting a partnership that had previously brought success at Valencia.
At the time, Villa were struggling near the bottom of the table. Fast forward to now, and they are firmly competing at the top end of the Premier League, currently sitting fourth and pushing for Champions League qualification again.
Emery has already passed 100 wins at the club, placing him alongside historic figures like Ron Saunders and Joe Mercer. His influence has been central to the transformation.
Having followed Aston Villa closely this season, the structure around the manager appears just as important as the results themselves. Decision-making has become more consistent, particularly in recruitment and squad building.
Still, it remains too early to measure this project against Manchester City’s sustained success.
Premier League challenge compared to NBA level
Vidagany also reflected on his own transition to English football, describing the Premier League as a completely different level.
“The Premier League was like going to the NBA. Four years have passed, and it has exceeded all expectations.” — Damià Vidagany
That comparison highlights both the competitiveness and global scale of the league, something many executives have pointed to in recent years.
Adapting to that environment has been a major part of Villa’s progress, as they look to establish themselves consistently among the elite rather than just challenge for a single season.
Key Insights
- Aston Villa are actively trying to replicate Manchester City’s model
- Damià Vidagany and Unai Emery reunited in 2022 to lead the project
- Villa have risen from 17th to Champions League contenders
- Emery has already surpassed 100 wins at the club
- The Premier League is viewed internally as a high-level global competition
What’s next for Aston Villa?
Villa’s immediate focus will be maintaining their position in the top four and securing Champions League football again. That will be key to sustaining momentum both financially and competitively.
Beyond this season, the club are expected to continue investing in squad depth and infrastructure, aligning with the long-term model Vidagany referenced. Progress will likely be measured over multiple seasons rather than instant success.
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *