Finalise Unai Emery’s new contract, keep hold of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, and tighten up at the back… how Aston Villa can continue their incredible rise next season after sealing a Champions League spot

Unai Emery has made a convincing case to be named Manager of the Year after leading Aston Villa to the group phase of next season’s Champions League but the Basque will know the hard work is only just beginning.

There will be a celebratory atmosphere at Villa’s final game of the season, at Crystal Palace on Sunday, but Emery will already have set his mind to tackling Villa’s first campaign in this competition since 1982-83, and their first since it was rebranded the Champions League in 1992.

Here Mail Sport looks at the key tasks facing the club this summer.

Aston Villa have qualified for the Champions League after a brilliant campaign

Unai Emery has worked wonders, but the club must now look to push on again next season

Finalise Emery’s new deal

In April the club triggered an option to extend Emery’s contract until summer 2027, with talks over a new one planned. 

If Emery signs – as is expected – he will become one of the highest-paid coaches in Europe, and few in Europe’s top five leagues have the power or control he enjoys at Villa. 

Emery’s appointment in October 2022 was driven by co-owner Nassef Sawiris and the 52-year-old has a direct line to the Egyptian billionaire. Sure enough, the key appointments at Villa, like director of football Damia Vidagany and transfer chief Monchi, were driven by Emery. 

Emery will believe he can keep moving Villa forward and a new contract would be yet another show of faith from both parties.

Emery has transformed Villa over the past 18 months, and the club must tie him down to a new deal

Balance the books

Not a particularly exciting job for a club who have just broken new ground, but fundamental for all Premier League sides as they try to stay in line with spending rules. 

Profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR) mean top-flight clubs are permitted to lose no more than £105million over a three-year period. 

Emery will undoubtedly want to improve his squad but there may need to be sales before June 30 to give Villa greater room for manoeuvre. 

Homegrown star Jacob Ramsey may depart as his sale price can be banked as pure profit, while Jhon Duran, Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho – on loan with Qatar club Al-Duhail – may also move on. 

Had he been fit, there would have been bids for Boubacar Kamara, signed on a free transfer from Marseille two years ago.

Villa could sell homegrown star Jacob Ramsey (pictured) for pure profit this summer

Keep the main men

Though Villa will look to recoup funds before the end of June 30 to keep the PSR wolf from the door, Emery and transfer chief Monchi will surely resist any attempts at asset stripping from opportunist rivals. 

Ollie Watkins signed a new five-year deal last October, making him one of the highest-paid players at the club – and there is no suggestion Villa would even consider bids for the 28-year-old, who has scored 27 times in all competitions this season and is one of the players of the season in England. 

The same should apply for goalkeeper Emi Martinez, centre-backs Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres, midfielder McGinn and winger Leon Bailey.

Villa have to do everything possible to keep hold of their leading goalscorer Ollie Watkins

Keeping World Cup winner Emi Martinez at the club will also be vital to the team’s progress

Tighten up at the back

Villa have not kept a clean sheet since the 2-0 win at Arsenal seven games ago, and they have conceded 15 in that period. 

As long as he recovers fully from the knee ligament injury that ended his season last August, Tyrone Mings should help. 

Although John McGinn is captain, Mings and Emi Martinez are the most vocal players in this team and Emery will welcome the return of a natural leader. Villa may also look to strengthen in the full-back areas, too. 

Matty Cash has not always convinced at right-back while at 30, Digne and Alex Moreno are past their peak, and Digne is among the club’s top earners.

Villa need to improve at the back and could move on from Lucas Digne (pictured) who is one of their highest earners

Natural leader Tyrone Mings (pictured) returning from a long-term injury will be a welcome boost