UNAI EMERY has masterminded Villarreal’s path to the semi-finals of the Champions League for just the second time in their history.
And the former Arsenal boss has been given a helping hand by FIVE players who headed to Spain after flopping in the Premier League.
Emery has had the help of five former Premier League stars in Villarreal’s run to the Champions League semi-finals Credit: Getty
Former Arsenal man Francis Coquelin is one of a heavy former Prem contingent at the club Credit: Getty Villarreal have dumped out both Juventus and Bayern Munich on their way to the Champions League last four, having gone into both ties as underdogs.
Now they are just three games away from lifting Europe’s most prestigious trophy for the first ever time.
If Emery and Co do the unthinkable, nobody will be more surprised than fans of Arsenal and Tottenham.
SunSport takes a look at five players who failed to live up to expectations in the Prem, more specifically North London, but could soon have a Champions League winner’s medal around their necks.
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Paddy Power betting offer: Get £40 in FREE BETS when you sign up and stake £10 Serge Aurier – Tottenham A controversial figure at Tottenham, Aurier was never too far away from a moment of madness.
Spurs tried to sell the right-back last summer, but when that failed terminated his contract entirely.
The 29-year-old linked up with Villarreal in October, and has since played 27 times, after making 110 appearances in four years at Spurs.
Aurier joined Villarreal in October as a free agent after having his Tottenham contract ripped up Credit: AFP Francis Coquelin – Arsenal Despite racking up 160 appearances across 10 years at Arsenal, Coquelin never really lived up to expectation after joining the Gunners’ academy aged 17.
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He initially left in 2018 for Valencia, before joining Villarreal two years later.
And apart from a two-month spell on the sidelines with an achilles injury, the 30-year-old has been a regular in Emery’s midfield this season.
Etienne Capoue – Tottenham and Watford Capoue has been sensational for Villarreal this campaign, playing in all ten Champions League games and contributing two goals and two assists.
The 33-year-old spent a successful six years at Watford, playing 181 times for the Hornets.
Before that the midfielder spent two seasons at Spurs, but could never really break into the team – playing just 36 times for the club.
Capoue has started all ten of Villarreal’s Champions League games this campaign Credit: Getty Juan Foyth – Tottenham Argentinian defender Foyth arrived at Spurs in 2017 with plenty of promise.
But he never made the transition from talented youngster to established first teamer, and after initially being loaned to Villarreal made the move permanent last summer.
Foyth played just 32 times for Spurs, mainly in cup competitions, but has 63 Villarreal appearances to his name in less than two seasons.
Foyth showed promise, but never nailed down a starting spot at Spurs Credit: Getty Giovani Lo Celso – Tottenham Unlike the other four Prem flops, Lo Celso is only one at Villarreal on loan.
The midfielder spent two seasons with Spurs after joining them in 2019 from Real Betis following a successful loan stint in North London.
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How ageing Russian warship was blown up in biggest navy disaster since WWII He headed back to LaLiga in January after falling out of favour at Spurs, and has played nine times in all competitions since then.
Emery’s side also have the option to make the move permanent..
Villarreal have the option to make Lo Celso’s loan move permanent this summer Credit: Getty Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
