“Emery came to my house” – Tielemans reveals Aston Villa transfer pitch

Youri Tielemans has revealed how a personal visit from Unai Emery proved decisive in convincing him to join Aston Villa, opening up on the behind-the-scenes moment that shaped his move in 2023.

The Aston Villa midfielder was speaking on Het Laatste Nieuws’ HLN Voetbal podcast, reflecting on his transfer after leaving Leicester City at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Having spent more than four years at Leicester, Tielemans became one of the most high-profile free agents on the market, attracting interest from several clubs across Europe. His eventual decision to move to Villa Park came as a surprise in Belgium — but the 28-year-old has now explained why the choice quickly became clear.

Tielemans credits Unai Emery with playing a central role in his arrival, revealing that the Aston Villa head coach made a personal visit to outline his vision.

“Emery came to my house then,” Tielemans said. “He explained his plan to me. Where he wanted to go, his vision, where he saw me playing… It just made sense. I had a really good feeling about it. It was also better to speak to him face to face.”

That direct approach helped differentiate Villa from the other options available to the Belgium international at the time.

The move also appealed on a personal level. Tielemans’ switch from Leicester to Birmingham allowed him to remain settled in England without major upheaval for his family.

“The training centre and stadium are quite easy to drive to,” he explained. “It’s less than an hour, so that was ideal for me and my family, also in terms of stability.”

That continuity proved an important factor as he weighed up his next step after leaving Leicester on a free transfer.

Although Tielemans initially needed time to fully establish himself in Emery’s system, he has since become a regular fixture in Villa’s midfield. He has now made 113 appearances for the club, contributing to their rise as consistent top-half contenders and, more recently, genuine challengers near the Premier League summit.

His club form has also been recognised internationally. In September, Rudi Garcia appointed Tielemans as captain of Belgium, a decision that surprised some observers back home but underlined his growing leadership role.

Tielemans’ account offers a rare insight into Emery’s hands-on management style — and why Aston Villa have been able to attract high-calibre players even without the pull of Champions League football at the time. For Tielemans, the clarity of vision and personal trust made all the difference.

Would Unai Emery’s personal approach convince you to choose Aston Villa over bigger-name clubs?