Emery’s private talks with transfer target speak volumes about Aston Villa boss

Ex-Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe has credited his move to the Gunners with a personal touch from Unai Emery, who won him over with a conversation in French.

Pepe revealed the crucial role Emery's attempt to speak in his native language played during their hour-long phone conversation, an impressive feat considering Spanish is the ex-manager's first language. Despite struggling to make an impact at Arsenal after a successful spell at Lille, Pepe recently gave an insight into his transfer decision. He said he was considering Napoli but felt swayed by Emery's detailed pitch and his commitment to helping Pepe fit into the Arsenal framework.

When it comes to Villa's current search for talent, fans may be encouraged by Emery's knack for persuasion. “I called Carlo Ancelotti, Napoli coach at the time,” Pepe said in an interview with The Athletic. “It lasted five minutes. Half an hour later I got another call, this time from Unai Emery (Arsenal manager at the time). It lasted an hour.

“He told me exactly what he was looking for, everything he would expect from me if I joined Arsenal. He talked about tactics, what he wanted from me, where he would play against me, how I could expect I would get better under him. Lots of details.

“And even though he's not a great French speaker, he spoke to me in French for a whole hour. It was a small thing, but it made an impression on me. I felt his desire to work with me.”

While Villa have faced challenges in the Premier League, Unai Emery has guided them to an impressive debut season in the Champions League, with three wins including a remarkable win over Bayern Munich. Despite some domestic issues, Emery has enjoyed solid support from his side, who have been quick to praise the former Sevilla boss' top-flight mentality, according to Birmingham Live.

Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers revealed to Mirror Football that Emery's approach was crucial in his decision to join the club. Rogers had become a crucial player for Villa and shared insights on how to earn Emery's trust. And like Pepe, it was Emery's attention to detail and his passion that convinced Rogers that moving to Villa was the right choice.

“That's why I signed. It wasn't the club, it was the coach. If someone wants you like that, then go,” Rogers said. “Unai didn't love me at first. That's the way he deals, especially me. It was mostly a case of tough love.

“He focused on the details he wanted me to improve and get better at. If he hadn't, I would have gone through the steps and it would have taken longer to integrate.”

The praise doesn't stop there. Villa's rising star Lamare Bogarde has hailed Emery as a 'football genius', expressing his willingness to adapt to any role for his boss. The Dutch youngster has also revealed insights into Emery's meticulous approach to football.

“If I had to describe him, I think it would be a 'football genius',” said Bogarde. “He really loves the game. He analyzes every match down to the second and is really obsessed with football. He knows what he is doing and it really shows. He makes everyone feel good.”