Unai Emery’s transformation of Aston Villa has been nothing short of remarkable. Since taking over in October 2022, the Spanish tactician has turned Villa from mid-table strugglers into a team competing at the highest level—both in the Premier League and now in the FA Cup.

For their FA Cup semifinal on Saturday, Villa will march to Wembley Stadium, one step away from a historic final. For a club that last won the competition in 1957, this is a golden opportunity to end a 67-year drought.
In this 5000-word deep dive, we’ll explore:
At Villa, Emery’s tactical development The Key Players Behind Villa’s Cup Success The Semifinal Opponent & Tactical Battle
Contextual History: Villa’s FA Cup Legacy What the Club Would Get from a Victory 1. Unai Emery’s Tactical Revolution at Aston Villa

When Emery arrived, Villa were languishing near the relegation zone. Fast forward to 2024, and they’re competing for Champions League football and now an FA Cup final.
System and Playing Style Emery primarily employs a fluid 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 hybrid for formation. High Press and Possession: Emery places an emphasis on structured pressing and ball retention in contrast to Steven Gerrard, his predecessor.

Wing-Play Dominance: Utilizing the pace of Leon Bailey and the creativity of John McGinn, Villa overload wide areas before cutting inside.

Ollie Watkins’ Evolution: The striker has thrived under Emery, becoming one of the league’s most complete forwards.

Emery’s success in the Cup Emery is a serial cup winner (4x Europa League titles). His ability to set up tactically for knockout games gives Villa a real edge