What has Emery changed? The simple answer is nothing.
It is perhaps boring that the workaholic Spaniard has not taken a axe to his methods to ensure Villa recovered, but is it the most accurate assessment.
The 54-year-old has had the courage of his convictions to navigate through the problems which beset his team at the start.
It was evident the club was flat, not just in results. That the trajectory under Emery had been so great in three years meant expectations had grown; the pressure to reach the Champions League and desire for big signings finally hit them.
Villa had gone from Premier League strugglers in 2022 to the Champions League quarter-finals in less than two years under Emery and the exhaustion felt contagious through the stands and the pitch.
The opening goalless draw with Newcastle and the 1-0 defeat at Brentford were drab, before Crystal Palace ended Villa’s 12-month unbeaten home record at the end of August.
Then, there was still the expectation keeper Emi Martinez would leave for Manchester United – having been left out against the Eagles – but he stayed and Villa also brought in Jadon Sancho, Harvey Elliott and Victor Lindelof on deadline day, although with little impact so far.
There was still a sense they had started the season weaker, having seen Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio leave following their loans, while they also sold Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £40m.
The squad needed a summer refresh but, among tight PSR restrictions Villa only spent money on striker Evann Guessand and goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
Yet Emery has not wavered, even as Ollie Watkins struggled for goals, scoring just once in his opening 19 games.
They will strengthen in January, though, and teenage Brazilian winger Alysson is close to joining from Gremio.
Emery views the training ground at Bodymoor Heath as a fortress and few are allowed inside the inner sanctum, with a high level of focus demanded.
When he has been questioned, privately, about whether he should change the team’s tactics or approach, the Spaniard has bristled.
Villa have not trained longer and Emery’s detailed video sessions have not been modified. He has, essentially, bundled everyone up at Bodymoor and dragged them to where they needed to be again.
The former Arsenal, Paris St-German and Sevilla boss has been described as a force of nature, someone with the intensity and ambition Villa have not known before, and which has ultimately pushed them forward.
The level of control he has at Villa should also not be underestimated – something he never had with the Gunners or in Paris.
When Monchi departed, Emery had a significant say in his replacement Roberto Olabe – another Basque figure he knew from Almeria – while he has trusted staff, none more so than director of football operations Damian Vidagany.
It was different at Arsenal when Emery succeeded Arsene Wenger in 2018 and lasted just 18 months – perhaps a victim of circumstance after replacing the successful French boss. Before that, PSG’s Qatari ownership did not renew his initial two-year contract despite winning a domestic treble.
How far would Emery have taken Arsenal if he had been given the same backing as his successor Mikel Arteta?
He now sits three points behind his former club as he attempts to help Villa qualify for the Champions League for a second time in three seasons and have a say in the title race – however much Emery downplays it.
“I am not thinking about it [the title],” he said after the impressive success over Arsenal. “I know 38 matches is very difficult. We are not a contender.”
