‘Strange’: Ally McCoist has one question he really wants to ask Unai Emery after he joins Aston Villa

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Aston Villa have acted very swiftly to replace Steven Gerrard, after he was sacked immediately after their defeat to Fulham.

Villarreal manager and former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has been confirmed as Villa’s new boss.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Ally McCoist has been discussing Emery’s appointment at Villa Park.

Villa were linked with several other big names before landing on Emery.

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim was one name reported to be of interest to the club, but he can now concentrate on preparing for his Champions League tie against Tottenham.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was also linked, but Villa have instead looked to the other side of north London for their next appointment.

Emery arrives at the club on November 1^st, and will have a double header against Manchester United to start his tenure.

However, McCoist has said he would like to ask Emery why he joined Aston Villa over Newcastle.

Emery was one of two coaches Newcastle were interested in hiring after sacking Steve Bruce.

However, he ended up rejecting the opportunity, with Eddie Howe being appointed instead.

McCoist wonders why Emery joined Villa over Newcastle

McCoist was very complimentary about Emery, and speaking on TalkSPORT (25/10 6:30am) discussed his appointment.

“There’s no doubt he’s an excellent coach, am I right in saying he got Villarreal to their first ever Champions League semi-final?” McCoist said.

“The other thing that will be very, very positive, he will be starving to do well after the disappointment at Arsenal.

“Interesting one though, why would he not back Newcastle and go to Villa?

“That’s something that kind of resonates with me as a kind of strange one, because from where I’m sitting you would think the project at Newcastle would be more attractive than the project at Villa.

“Now, Villa fans might be saying straight away, ‘don’t talk nonsense’, but the fact that he’d been guaranteed the finances to build the whole thing at Newcastle, I just felt might have been more attractive.

“I’m aware of the fact Villa are a massive club and a good club, and there’s the ability to go up the league, but it’s an interesting one.

“What’s made Villa more attractive than Newcastle, that would be my first question.”

Timing could be everything for Emery decision

Emery has had a successful stint in charge of Villarreal, but clearly feels now is the right time to move on.

The Spanish side were progressing in the Champions League when Newcastle came calling, and the timing wasn’t right for him to move.

However, the Europa Conference League doesn’t quite have the same appeal, and Villa have certainly benefitted.

Villa’s owners have shown they’re willing to invest heavily in the squad if needed.

However, they’re unlikely to be able to compete with the long-term spending ambitions of Newcastle.

Emery needs to concentrate on Villa’s short-term success before he can look at his squad going forward.

Their 4-0 win over Brentford certainly makes their position in the table look much healthier than before the weekend.