Rise of the Villans
Inside Unai Emery's Aston Villa Revolution
Published on 25. September 2025
Book
Hardback
560 pages
978-1-3996-2504-3 (ISBN)
Description
SHORTLISTED FOR FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE 2026 SPORTS BOOK AWARDS
'BRILLIANT, REVEALS DELIGHTFUL DETAILS ABOUT EMERY' The Times
'A BACKSTAGE PASS TO THE MAKING OF A MODERN FOOTBALL IDENTITY' Midlands Gazette
Featuring exclusive interviews with Unai Emery, Monchi, Morgan Rogers and more, this is the behind-the-scenes account of Unai Emery's Aston Villa revolution, from the award-winning bestseller Guillem Balague.
In October 2022, Unai Emery was appointed manager of Aston Villa. Despite being one of England's most historic clubs, Emery was taking charge of a team in turmoil and hovering above the relegation zone in the Premier League. But in his very first match, Villa produced a statement victory, deftly beating Manchester United 3-1 at Villa Park. It was a sign of things to come; in his first full season in charge, Emery would lead the club to a top four finish - qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in over four decades.
Guillem Balague has had unparalleled access to Unai Emery, his backroom staff and the Villa squad ever since the Spaniard was appointed manager in 2022. From growing up in the Basque region to becoming one of the most exciting coaches today, Rise of the Villans reveals the inner workings of Emery's psyche. Guillem takes readers inside Bodymoor Heath to show how Unai has transformed Villa into an exciting side renowned for their direct passing, high energy and devastating counter attacks. At the core of the book are Villa's passionate fans, who outline why they believe club and manager are the perfect match.
With the Holte End roaring into life as Villa Park welcomed the return of European football's most prestigious club competition, it was clear for all to see: Unai Emery had awoken the sleeping giant.
'BRILLIANT, REVEALS DELIGHTFUL DETAILS ABOUT EMERY' The Times
'A BACKSTAGE PASS TO THE MAKING OF A MODERN FOOTBALL IDENTITY' Midlands Gazette
Featuring exclusive interviews with Unai Emery, Monchi, Morgan Rogers and more, this is the behind-the-scenes account of Unai Emery's Aston Villa revolution, from the award-winning bestseller Guillem Balague.
In October 2022, Unai Emery was appointed manager of Aston Villa. Despite being one of England's most historic clubs, Emery was taking charge of a team in turmoil and hovering above the relegation zone in the Premier League. But in his very first match, Villa produced a statement victory, deftly beating Manchester United 3-1 at Villa Park. It was a sign of things to come; in his first full season in charge, Emery would lead the club to a top four finish - qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in over four decades.
Guillem Balague has had unparalleled access to Unai Emery, his backroom staff and the Villa squad ever since the Spaniard was appointed manager in 2022. From growing up in the Basque region to becoming one of the most exciting coaches today, Rise of the Villans reveals the inner workings of Emery's psyche. Guillem takes readers inside Bodymoor Heath to show how Unai has transformed Villa into an exciting side renowned for their direct passing, high energy and devastating counter attacks. At the core of the book are Villa's passionate fans, who outline why they believe club and manager are the perfect match.
With the Holte End roaring into life as Villa Park welcomed the return of European football's most prestigious club competition, it was clear for all to see: Unai Emery had awoken the sleeping giant.
Reviews / Votes
Guillem Balague's brilliant new book on Emery, Rise of the Villans... Balague's book reveals delightful details about Emery, like how he considered trademarking his famous Spanglish interview greeting of "Good ebening" and how his favourite book is Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Father Jacques Philippe, a volume on Catholic spirituality. * Jonathan Northcroft, The Times * One of the book's strengths is that it treats the fanbase as part of the story rather than scenery, capturing why many supporters feel that club and coach are an unusually good match, and what it means when the Holte End senses a real plan unfolding... If you want the cleanest way to describe what Balague is offering here, it's this: a backstage pass to the making of a modern football identity, told by a writer whose career has been built on getting close enough to show the reader the wiring. Not the roar alone, but the switches that made the roar possible. * Sam Wayne, Midlands Gazette *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 51 mm
Weight
839 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3996-2504-3 (9781399625043)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2025
Seven Dials
€16.99
Available for download
Persons
Guillem Balague is an award-winning author, football journalist and presenter who works for BBC TV, BBC Radio 5 Live, ITV, LaLiga TV and the American network CBS.
His books include A Season on the Brink; Pep Guardiola: Another Way of Winning; Messi; Cristiano Ronaldo; Brave New World: Inside Pochettino's Spurs; Maradona: The Boy, The Rebel, The God; Rise of the Villans: Inside Unai Emery's Aston Villa Revolution and Barca Captains: The Leaders That Built the World's Greatest Football Club. Several of Guillem's books have been Sunday Times bestsellers in the UK, and shortlisted for various book awards.
He is also chairman of Biggleswade United.
His books include A Season on the Brink; Pep Guardiola: Another Way of Winning; Messi; Cristiano Ronaldo; Brave New World: Inside Pochettino's Spurs; Maradona: The Boy, The Rebel, The God; Rise of the Villans: Inside Unai Emery's Aston Villa Revolution and Barca Captains: The Leaders That Built the World's Greatest Football Club. Several of Guillem's books have been Sunday Times bestsellers in the UK, and shortlisted for various book awards.
He is also chairman of Biggleswade United.