This is who will take charge of Aston Villa against Newcastle United amid Unai Emery delay

Aston Villa are set to stick with interim manager Aaron Danks for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United - with Unai Emery not officially taking over until November 1.

Danks has been placed in charge of first-team affairs following Steven Gerrard’s sacking last week. He got off to a strong start after Villa beat Brentford 4-0 on Sunday to move three points clear of the relegation zone courtesy of goals from Danny Ings (twice), Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.

“For me, I’ve been asked to step forward and lead the team,” the 37-year-old said after the Brentford game. As a group of staff, we’ll continue to do that until told otherwise.

“We’re in tomorrow morning. We’ll recover well and we’ll review today’s game and get ready for Newcastle. Whenever anything changes, it changes but, until we get to that point, we’ll continue to think forwards and move forwards.

“After Fulham I just got a call to say what had happened and was asked to step forward and lead the team. From that point forward really was to look forwards and to focus on what the three days looked like and what the game plan was going to be. My full focus was just on today’s game.”

Emery returns to England - almost a year after he turned down the opportunity to manage Newcastle.

Aston Villa club statement

A Villa statement read: “Aston Villa is delighted to announce the appointment of Unai Emery as the club’s new Head Coach.

“Unai joins from Villarreal, whom he led to Europa League success by beating Manchester United in the final in 2021 as well as the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

“A highly experienced top level coach who has managed over 900 games, Unai has also previously managed in the Premier League during a spell with Arsenal, leading the Gunners to a Europa League final.

“He has also enjoyed notable success at Sevilla and at Paris Saint Germain. In Seville, he won three successive Europa League titles between 2013 and 2016 before going on to lift a Ligue 1 championship in France as well as two French Cups, two French League Cups and two Trophée des Champions.

“Unai will take over from November 1st after his work permit formalities are completed.”