Aston Villa have announced that head coach Unai Emery has signed a new long-term contract.

The Spaniard has just spearheaded one of Villa's best-ever campaigns in the Premier League, securing a fourth-placed finish in the standings.

As a result, the West Midlands outfit have earned a place in the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Villa's hierarchy responded to the club's progress under Emery by handing the 52-year-old a new deal in April that would run until 2027.

However, just over a month on from that extension, Emery has penned fresh terms yet again, with his contract now lasting until the end of 2028-29.

What has Emery had to say?

Speaking to the club's official website, Emery said: "I am very happy to take this step and the responsibility of leading this club.

"Since I came to Villa with Wes (Edens) and Nassef (Sawiris) we found always the best environment and structure to develop a project with the highest ambition.

"All the football structure with Monchi and Damian (Vidagany) and the owners, we share the same vision and same goals.

"There's a great chemistry in Aston Villa. And the element of the fans' support also makes the difference to feel like home. We are really excited to continue this journey with no limits to our dreams."

Sawiris added: "We are building something special here at Aston Villa with Unai at its core and we are delighted that he has signed a new deal with the club until 2029.

"As we move into our historic, 150th anniversary year, there is a lot to look forward to with Unai at the helm."

Why have Villa handed Emery another new contract?

Villa may have ended a long campaign with a 5-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, but it did nothing to change the opinion that Emery is the right man for the job at Villa Park.

A total of 44 wins and 15 draws have been recorded from his 83 games in charge, with Villa having been transformed from relegation candidates to fringe Premier League title contenders.

The plan is to further strengthen the senior ranks across the summer transfer window as they bid to mount a stronger challenge for the top-flight crown.

Any prospective additions will now see that Villa have a concrete plan in place for future, theoretically boosting their chances of being taken to the next level by a manager who has won 11 pieces of silverware during his managerial career. body check tags ::