If there is one thing you can say about Unai Emery, it’s that he’s supportive of his friends. And the Aston Villa manager has been busy proving that this week.
While most managers are probably have a well-earned break during the extended international break, the Aston Villa boss has been working hard.
First, he has to prepare for an upcoming return to Sevilla. He and his side are taking on the Spanish club in the Antonio Puerta trophy this year. It will be his first return to his former club since leaving for Paris Saint Germain in 2016.
Backing Vidagany
But before all that, he’s been busy supporting his friend Damià Vidagany.
For those who don’t who Vidagany is, he’s been Aston Villa’s Director of Football Operations since 2023. He previously worked as Valencia’s Chief Media Officer from 2008-2017.
That means he has a close relationship with Emery, who has worked alongside him at both clubs. And the Aston Villa boss was in attendance this week as Vidagany was handed the Gold Medal of the City of Llíria.
That offered the Spanish press the chance to speak to the Aston Villa manager about Valencia. That is something A Punt Esports did.
Braulio support
And their focus was on another of Emery’s close friends, Braulio Vázquez.
He recently joined Valencia as their sporting director, something which has sparked hope of a revival for a club who have spent most of the last decade at the wrong end of La Liga.
Braulio was previously sporting director from 2009 to 2013, meaning he worked closely with the Aston Villa manager during his time in the Valencia dugout. Now Emery has offered his public back to his return to the Mestalla.
“Braulio’s arrival at Valencia CF is good news for the club,” he said.
“He loves the club and wants the best for it. He will dedicate all his professional expertise to helping the team get out of its current situation.
“Braulio and I are alike: he is a Galician based in Valencia, and I am a Basque based in Valencia. We also share a very deep friendship, first because our children played together in Valencia’s youth ranks, and later because we worked together professionally at the club.
“Even after parting ways, we maintained that relationship and would get together in Valencia to talk about football.”
⚽️🦇 Unai Emery ha estat present en el lliurament de la medalla d’or de la ciutat de Llíria a Damià Vidagany, exdirector de comunicació del @valenciacf i ara d’operacions a l’Aston Villa
A Emery li hem preguntat per Braulio Vázquez, nou director esportiu del club de Mestalla. pic.twitter.com/Cx5jDZDoKN
— À Punt Esports (@apuntesports) September 28, 2026
