Aston Villa Boss Unai Emery Receives High Praise from Nigerian Legend Sunday Oliseh

• Unai Emery has earned praise from Super Eagles legend, Sunday Oliseh
• The Spaniard guided Asston Villa to the Europa Conference League semis
• Villa advanced to the last four after a penalty shootout victory over Lille

Super Eagles legend, Sunday Oliseh, has hailed former Arsenal manager Unai Emery as among the top globally following guiding Aston Villa to the semifinals of a European competition for the first time since 1982.

The Villans secured their spot in the last four of the UEFA Europa Conference League after a penalty shootout victory over Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy yesterday.

They will face Greek side, Olympiakos, in the first leg on Thursday, May 2.

The Spaniard's side are the only English team remaining in a European competition, after Arsenal and Manchester City were eliminated from the Champions League and Liverpool and West Ham were ousted from the Europa League.

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Emery took over at Villa Park in October 2022 following a series of poor results.

Reacting to a post on his X handle, praising his achievements, Oliseh declared him "arguably the best coach in the world.

The former Sevilla boss is on the brink of leading Villa to their debut appearance in the UEFA Champions League. Villa is currently in fourth place in the Premier League standings.

Emery praised Emi Martinez as the world's best goalkeeper after his controversial performance in the dramatic win over Lille. Martinez saved two penalties in the shoot-out but will miss the semi-final first-leg game after receiving three bookings across the quarter-final, including one during the shoot-out.

He staunchly defended World Cup winner after the match at Stade Pierre Mauroy and continued to do so on Friday, ahead of Villa's Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Sunday, April 21.

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"He is decisive in a lot of matches, and of course, he is one of the best goalkeepers. The first, second, third? For me, he is the best," said Emery, as reported by Daily Mail.

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The team was battling relegation under Steven Gerard before the Englishman was sacked

Managing a team in a tough league like the English top flight comes with immense pressure and pride.