Aston Villa boss Unai Emery confirmed there have been talks to build a “stronger” project at the club by signing a new contract at Villa Park.
On Wednesday, the day after Villa’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona, the club announced they held a meeting to discuss their long-term strategy beyond 2029, when Emery’s contract is due to expire.
The Villa boss has been linked with several other clubs – including Sunday’s opponents Manchester United – but was involved with long-term talks which included the club’s chairman Nassef Sawiris.
There has been no confirmation of a new deal for the Spaniard, but Emery touched on committing his long-term future with the club and says there will be further contract talks next week.
He said: “My ambition is to keep our consistency and how we are improving and building lots of things positively. It is a huge challenge.
“They decided, speaking with us last year, to build a new stand to add more supporters at Villa Park. That is a clear step forward to get better.
“How we are increasing our budget each year, and revenue through our performance by playing in Europe and improving players, selling players, then buying young talented players, this is the process and ambition we should keep in the future.
“I had a good meeting with Nassef Sawiris, very good meeting, very positive. Let’s talk next week, trying to get everything we spoke about together.
“We were speaking about how we can set our project stronger with a deal, yes.”
Villa will be looking to extend their five-match unbeaten run when they face Manchester United on Sunday who have won only one of their opening nine league matches – beating Ipswich in August.
Old Trafford has not been a happy hunting ground for Villa in recent years and they have lost each of their last six matches there in all competitions.
Emery is not underestimating Michael Carrick’s side and even described them as being at the same level as Spanish giants Barcelona.
“We did not win one match there in four years,” he added.
“This year they are playing well in the Champions League. They have not been consistent in the league, but they should recover it, but hopefully not against us.
“We lost to Barcelona because of the level we faced; this is the highest level in the Champions League. Man United is at the same level as Barcelona.
“I am very demanding. The next challenge on Sunday is in the process we have and trying to do better than we did against Barcelona on Tuesday.”
Villa were beaten for the first time in this season’s Champions League on Tuesday courtesy of Lamine Yamal’s opener and Raphinha’s double.
Emery is still not happy with the mistakes his side are making.
“We are making a lot of mistakes, not only that,” he explained.
“When we have a chance to score and we don’t score, it is the same.
“Some mistakes are part of the process, our idea of football. We made some mistakes like that before with different players and we always overcame it.”
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