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<b>Featuring exclusive interviews with Unai Emery, Monchi, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, Pau Torres and more, this is t</b><b>he behind-the-scenes account of Unai Emery's Aston Villa revolution, from the award-winning <i>Sunday Times</i> bestseller Guillem Balague. </b><br/><br/> In October 2022, Unai Emery was appointed manager of Aston Villa. Despite being one of England's most historic football clubs, Emery was taking charge of a team in turmoil and hovering above the relegation zone in the Premier League. But in his very first match, Villa produced a statement victory, deftly beating Manchester United 3-1 at Villa Park. It was a sign of things to come.<br/><br/> Guillem Balague has had unparalleled access to Unai Emery, his backroom staff and the Aston Villa squad ever since the Spaniard was appointed manager in 2022. From Emery's early years growing up in the Basque region to becoming one of the most exciting coaches managing today, <i>Rise of the Villans</i> reveals the inner workings of Emery's psyche. Featuring exclusive interviews with Emery himself, as well as key players such as Villa captain John McGinn and star striker Ollie Watkins, it charts the journeys of both Emery and Aston Villa over the last three decades, offering a comprehensive and compelling narrative of why they are the perfect match.<br/><br/> Exploring Emery's management of the Midlands side, the book outlines how he has transformed them into an exciting side renowned for their direct passing, high energy and devastating counter attacks. After a 7th placed finish in his first season in charge, Emery's Villa continued their fine form in the 2023-24 season, finishing 4th and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in over four decades.<br/><br/> <b>With the Holte End roaring into life as Villa Park welcomed the return of European football's most prestigious club competition, it was clear for all to see: Unai Emery had awoken the sleeping giant.</b>

<b>'Extensively researched and wonderfully written, Joey's book deserves to be read by all.'</b> <i>Martin O'Neill</i><br/><br/><b>'</b><b>This colourful book is a treat for anyone interested in both football and politics.'</b> <i>Patrick Maguire, The Times</i><br/><br/><b>'O</b><b>ne of the most original and innovative football books in some time, a "Parts Unknown" for the game.' </b><i>Miguel Delaney, Independent</i><br/><br/><b>'Smart, warm and original... it will make politics nerds think differently about football, and football fans think differently about the world.'</b> <i>Matt Chorley, BBC Radio 5 Live<br/><br/></i>______________________________<br/><br/><b>Twenty-Two Football Shirts that explain the world, geopolitics and the biggest stories of our time</b><br/><br/>Football is the world's most popular sport, and the shirts worn by teams and their supporters are its greatest means of cultural expression. Every year clubs launch new kits with increasingly extravagant marketing campaigns and convoluted explanations of how their designs reflect their history and local community. But football shirts are much more than just a symbol of which club we support. A seemingly innocuous combination of colours, sponsor logos and materials can all reflect the social values, financial struggles and political ideologies of the day, as geopolitical issues increasingly seep into every aspect of the game.<br/><br/>Investigative journalist Joey D'Urso has travelled across the globe, combining on-the-ground reporting with unparalleled analysis to collate a list of the twenty-two football shirts that best explain the modern world. <i>More Than A Shirt</i> will take fans on a journey from Birmingham to Belgrade and onto Medellin and Mumbai, outlining how we can see the war in Ukraine in the shirt of Schalke in Germany or China's foreign policy in West Bromwich Albion's; how the shirts of state-owned clubs are used for sportswashing; and why the French national kit embodies worldwide migration patterns.<br/><br/><b>A compelling and eye-opening exploration, </b><i><b>More Than A Shirt</b></i><b> is essential reading for any football fan and will change the way you think about the beautiful game's most universal symbol.</b>