Unai Emery says being shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or Men’s Coach of the Year award is “an honour and a source of pride”, although the Aston Villa manager does not expect to win.
The 54-year-old is one of five nominees after ending Villa’s 30-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League and guiding them to fourth place in the Premier League.
He faces competition from Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta, Luis de la Fuente and Vincent Kompany. Carlo Ancelotti won the award in 2024, before Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique claimed it last year after leading the club to their first Champions League title.
“Being nominated for the Ballon d’Or is something to be proud of,” Emery told Diario de Sevilla. “Sometimes people tell me: ‘Unai is undervalued in football’.
“No, I feel very valued in the places I’ve been, I feel very valued in football in general, and I don’t feel like I’m lacking anything.
“I feel like I have a very important place, and for me, it’s an honour and a source of pride. I don’t know who they’ll give it to.
“I imagine the Champions League winner carries a lot of weight, and it could be Luis Enrique, or even winning the World Cup like De la Fuente did.
“That would also have its significance, but I don’t know. I think the Europa League winner does too, and that’s why I’m in the running, but a little less so.”
The winner will be announced at the ceremony on 26 October. Emery’s immediate focus is Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Brentford.
Villa beat Tottenham before the international break, while Keith Andrews’ Brentford are fourth and unbeaten. The Bees beat Chelsea 3-0 in their previous league match to move on to nine points from five games.
Vitaly Janelt has started all five matches, recording team-best figures of 184 successful passes and 10 tackles won. His form earned him a first call-up to Jurgen Klopp’s Germany squad.
“We feel very comfortable here,” Janelt said. “The journey is not just being promoted and playing Premier League football – it’s the other side as well.
“Having a nice life outside of football, having a baby and a good wife. It’s all a big puzzle. I can’t complain at all. It’s the best time in my football career.”
Johan Manzambi could become the youngest player to score in each of his first two Premier League starts for Villa. He scored and assisted against Tottenham, becoming only the second Villa player to do so on a first league start, after Kevin Phillips in 2005-06.
For Brentford, Dango Ouattara scored home and away in 1-0 wins over Villa last season. No Bees player has scored three winning goals against the same opponent in the competition.
Villa have lost only one of their 11 home league games against Brentford, although that was a 1-0 defeat in this fixture last season. They have lost both home league matches this campaign and have recorded the fewest shots (48), shots on target (12), touches in the opposition box (81), overall expected goals (4.65 xG) and set-piece expected goals (0.39 xG) in the 2026-27 Premier League.
Brentford are unbeaten in seven league games (W2 D5), their longest current Premier League run. They completed the double over Villa last season.
Opta gives Villa a 47.8% chance of victory, compared with 26.1% for a draw and 26.2% for Brentford.
