'I've never met anyone like him' - McGinn on Emery

Captain John McGinn says helium has ne'er met anyone other similar Unai Emery and that the Spaniard's spot among the legendary figures successful Aston Villa's past is already assured.

Villa's awesome commencement to the play continued with a 2-0 triumph implicit Bologna arsenic they went apical of the Champions League table.

Emery, who celebrates 2 years successful complaint astatine Villa Park connected Thursday, has besides guided the broadside to 4th successful this season's Premier League, 4 points down leaders Liverpool.

The 52-year-old has yet to triumph a trophy with the nine but McGinn believes his spot successful Villa past is safe.

"No substance what happens until present and whenever helium leaves - we anticipation it's ne'er - helium volition surely spell down arsenic 1 of our club's top managers," McGinn said.

"You provender disconnected your leader. He is our person and we provender disconnected that. No-one tin question what helium puts in, the effort - and everything which comes his mode and our mode is connected the backmost of hard work.

"He is conscionable truthful driven. I person ne'er met anyone similar him," added the 30-year-old.

McGinn acknowledged Emery has been the "only person" who has not been excited by Villa's aboriginal play form, with the ex-Arsenal brag alternatively concentrating connected his job.

"He conscionable focuses his afloat vigor each the time," added the Scotland midfielder.

"He does not fto america instrumentality our ft disconnected the state truthful we tin usage each our vigor and enthusiasm, and the excitement we have. His determination and strength is unmatched."

Villa were lone 3 points disconnected the relegation portion erstwhile Emery took implicit connected 24 October 2022 pursuing the sacking of Steven Gerrard.

Fast guardant 24 months and the translation is remarkable.

Villa are enjoying their champion commencement to a Premier League play successful 26 years arsenic good arsenic sweeping each earlier them successful Europe, including a memorable triumph implicit Bayern Munich earlier this month.

Emery's triumph percent of 55.79% from his 95 competitory matches successful complaint of Villa is the champion successful the club's 150-year history.

"It's astonishing the mode Aston Villa person started. He [Emery] is simply a manager that has specified immense acquisition successful these European competitions and helium knows however to grip it," erstwhile England defender Matthew Upson told BBC Sport.

"Under Emery, they are lone going forwards truthful we are each truly keen to spot wherever they extremity up."

Former Villa and England defender Martin Keown said connected TNT Sports determination has been "something special" astir Emery's clip successful charge.

"Villa had their champion league decorativeness for 28 years past play and softly helium has taken this nine backmost to large time," helium said.

Ex-England and Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves added: "I look astatine Villa present and they don't person a weakness. They person a manager who is ruthless, a victor and has a wide identity."

Watch highlights of each Champions League crippled from 22:00 BST connected Wednesday connected BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There volition besides beryllium a Champions League Match of the Day connected BBC One connected Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.