Play chess against Emery - at two in the morning, the hero of the villa listens to lectures and watches football

Imagine Unai Emery opening a chess app on his phone and playing against strangers, under his real name. With these words, the BBC begins the story of the man who won the Europa League for the fifth time in Istanbul on Wednesday night, bringing Aston Villa their first European trophy in 44 years.

The famous British media outlet emphasizes that this is just one of the ways in which a meticulous coach perfects the mental discipline needed for the highest level of football.

"And Emery is truly a grandmaster of the Europa League. He previously led Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League titles (2014, 2015 and 2016), and then reached his fourth trophy with Villarreal (2021). After five years, the Spaniard won the trophy again with a victory over Freiburg (3:0) and tied with Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and Giovanni Trapattoni for the number of major European trophies among coaches," the BBC added.

Also watching Racing Santander

The idea of ​​a Premier League manager playing chess with everyone under his real name may sound strange, but it's true. He believes that everyone has to be prepared for anything and that he can't afford to relax.

"But it's not just chess that interests him. He also likes to listen to lectures. Even at two in the morning. He's particularly interested in people who explain the world in new ways - scientists, thinkers, anyone who can broaden his view of things," the BBC emphasized.

He has another activity at two in the morning, and that is watching football - any level.

"For example, Racing Santander, who have just won promotion to the Spanish Primera. They are not a Champions League giant, nor a rival, but that does not stop Emery from studying them. It is his way of relaxing."

Players must be in football 70 percent of the time

Emery says that no one works harder than him. This is not a way to brag, but simply to explain his way of working.

It focuses on body position in training, tactics, physical details and forces players to dedicate 70 percent of their time to football.

"Whatever he does, he does with complete dedication. Achieving a goal is not just a professional achievement - it is also the fulfillment of a personal responsibility that he takes seriously. To maintain this, he has learned to strictly guard his concentration and ignore external influences, such as when Villa were criticized for resting key players in the home defeat to Tottenham."

From 16th place to the Champions League and European Cup

The extent of Emery's influence on Aston Villa is best illustrated by the fact that the Birmingham team was 16th in the Premier League table when the Spaniard took over - just a place and a point above the relegation zone.

Villa then won 15 of their last 25 league games and finished in seventh place, qualifying for Europe for the first time since the 2010/11 season.

In his first full season, Emery won the Champions League for the former European champions for the first time since 1982/83.

And now, with another Champions League berth, Aston Villa have the European trophy back - for the first time in 44 years.

"If someone had said when we were 16th in the Premier League that they would come and win the Europa League, no player would have believed it. He just has that special way," said Ashley Young, a former Aston Villa player.