By Tam McManus

12th Apr, 2023 | 5:05pm

Aston Villa approve 'huge' signing spree amid 'brilliant' Unai Emery claim - pundit

Aston Villa could be ‘pushing for top six’ next season after hiring ‘brilliant’ Unai Emery this campaign.

That is the view of former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about Emery’s great start to life at Villa Park.

Only league leaders Arsenal have picked up more Premier League points than Villa since Emery’s appointment in October.

Emery joined Villa while the club were battling in the bottom half of the league, and they now sit sixth after their 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool and Brighton both boast games in hand beneath them, but Villa are set to battle for European qualification in the final eight games of the season.

McManus praised Emery’s impact at Villa this season and urged the club’s board to financially back him in the summer.

As revealed by Football Insider, the club’s American owners are set to back another “huge” spending spree this summer.

“I think Emery is brilliant – a brilliant manager who is an absolute Europa League specialist,” McManus told Football Insider.

“He’s very talented and Aston Villa are lucky to get him. Villa will no doubt back him heavily in the summer and let him build a squad.

“I think if that does happen, Villa could be pushing for the top six next season.

“He’s got some good players in there but he needs maybe two or three really quality players to break into that elite bracket.

“But Emery is a top manager and I think if you give him the tools and the backing we could see a very strong Villa next season.“

In other news, Aston Villa star close to agreeing £100,000-a-week+ deal