Unai Emery has heaped praise on the 'new' Newcastle United and believes the Magpies represent the 'most difficult challenge' to Aston Villa's recent revival. The in-form teams meet at Villa Park on Saturday, with Eddie Howe's side looking to record a sixth straight Premier League win to boost their top-four hopes.
Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in the Clarets dugout in October following a successful spell in charge at Villarreal. Villa have since recovered from a poor start to mount an unexpected challenge for European football, with victory over Nottingham Forest in their last outing extending their unbeaten league run to seven matches.
Emery turned down Newcastle's job offer in November 2021, with the Magpies facing a relegation battle following an absymal start to the season under Steve Bruce. The former Arsenal and PSG boss was asked about the changes he has since witnessed at St James' Park, and whether he saw any similarities between the two clubs.
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He told BirminghamLive: "I don’t know exactly but this new Newcastle are adding players and paying money for them. Their idea is to improve and to get in the top six and now they’re in the top four.
"They are signing players, very good players, young, experienced, mixed and they are keeping the squad with players they had before. Progressively, they are growing up. Historically they’re a big team.
"Last year they weren’t in the same way but now it’s a different Newcastle. We will face them being in the top four. The coach is doing very good work.
"I knew [Eddie Howe] before he was working at Bournemouth. He has done very good work. His team has an identity. They are strong in their mentality. He works tactically as well being difficult as well for the opponent.
"They’re doing one stop ahead with the players. They’re a good, big club, going for top four, good coach."
Emery was appointed ahead of the reverse fixture at St James' Park in October, but was not in charge as the hosts romped to an emphatic 4-0 victory. Villa are now one of the form sides in the division, but the head coach believes Newcastle will pose the toughest test in their recent run.
He added: "Newcastle is a team with a development that has been very strong. They are building a very serious and organised team. Now they are one of the best teams in the Premier League.
"The coach is playing with his identity, playing aggressively, high pressing and having aggressive individuals. They are feeling strong with their mentality as well.
"We are facing a lot of big challenges. We have been successful but tomorrow is the most difficult challenge we’ll face in the last few matches."
