“He gave me a lot” – Forward heaps praise on Aston Villa’s Emery, ‘took a lot of good things from him’

Villarreal forward Yeremy Pino has heaped praise on Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, admitting he learned a lot from the Spanish boss.

The forward has been speaking to DAZN in Spain ahead of Villarreal’s clash with Real Madrid, in which the subject of the former Villarreal boss was brought up.

Emery handed Pino his professional debut in La Liga when he was just 18-year-old and five days old, when he brought him off the bench in the 0-0 draw with Cadiz in October 2020.

He also handed the youngster his debut in the Copa del Rey as well as the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League during his time in charge at the club.

Indeed the pair enjoyed a strong bong, with the youngster enjoying 92 appearances under Emery before his move to Aston Villa last year.

It means Emery holds a special place for the player, who still holds him in high esteem, even though they’re no longer working together.

“Thanks to that (his debut) he gave me a lot,” he said of the Aston Villa manager.

“I took a lot of good things from him, I think I’m a better player defensively now.

“I bring a lot to the team from my point of view. Now I’m gradually gaining confidence on the left, which is very good for me.”