Aston Villa fans have already identified one potential big problem Unai Emery could have with Roberto Olabe

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Aston Villa fans have identified one potential problem that Roberto Olabe might have with manager Unai Emery when the two are reunited at Villa Park.

Earlier on Tuesday, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has confirmed that Olabe is heading to Villa as a replacement for outbound director Monchi.

The Villans then confirmed Olabe’s appointment on Tuesday evening.

Olabe’s arrival at Villa Park comes in the wake of a poor start to Aston Villa’s season, with Emery’s side yet to win in all competitions this term.

But while Olabe has a great reputation in the game, some Villa fans reckon there could be a potential issue between him and Unai Emery.

Aston Villa fans worry Unai Emery won’t be on board with Roberto Olabe’s strategy

At Real Sociedad, Olabe’s strategy was to develop good academy prospects into first-team stars, along with rejuvenating players whose careers had stalled.

For instance, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Isak were signed when their careers were at low points, and both thrived at the Anoeta.

However, Villa fans don’t believe Emery has been particularly good in terms of giving youth a chance, and they wonder whether he could have a problem with Olabe.

“Emery didn’t seem to trust the youngsters Monchi brought in,” one fan wrote on X. “Let’s hope it’s not a repeat of that.”

Another said: “What young player would want to sit on the bench for the entire season? Look at how Emery has treated Maatsen for example.”

The comments kept coming, with one fan saying: “Maybe now Emery will play them instead of selling them for peanuts after two appearances.”

Another wrote: “Emery apparently wants proven players that can fit right in, but that doesn’t suit our financial restrictions.”

Another said: “We need to balance our transfer activity. Once PSR resolves itself, we need to find real quality.

“We also need to get better at giving our young players a path into the first team. Far too many big money signing on big wages end up sat on the bench.”

READ MORE: Roberto Olabe’s five best signings spell good news for Aston Villa as agreement reached

Why Unai Emery and Roberto Olabe may actually be a match made in heaven

Although Emery’s track record suggests he prefers first-team ready players, this doesn’t necessarily mean he will avoid promoting academy players once Olabe takes over.

Bailey confirmed that Emery is “delighted” with Olabe coming on board at Villa, with the two Spaniards having worked together in the past.

Olabe and Emery played together for Real Sociedad B and made their senior team debuts in 1995.

In addition, Olabe appointed Emery as Almeria’s manager in June 2006, shortly before he himself was succeeded by Alberto Benito as Sporting Director.

Indeed, Emery and Villa first considered bringing Olabe to the Premier League in summer 2023.

With Emery seemingly having had a big say in Olabe coming to Villa, and the two going back decades, it suggests there won’t be too many issues arising between the two.