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EXCLUSIVE: Unai Emery offers respected former Liverpool assistant Pako Ayestaran the chance to be his Aston Villa No 2 in a move considered both important and shrewd

Unai Emery has made his first major decision since being named Aston Villa manager by offering Pako Ayestaran the opportunity to become his assistant.

Emery is determined to make the most of this significant step in his career and the desire to have the respected Ayestaran by his side is both important and shrewd.

Ayestaran has a wealth of experience and first arrived in the Premier League in 2004, where he assisted Rafa Benitez at Liverpool.

Unai Emery has offered Pako Ayestaran the chance to become his assistant at Aston Villa
Ayestaran (second right) was No 2 to Spaniard Rafael Benitez at Liverpool from 2004-2007
He also worked under Gary Neville at Valencia before succeeding the Brit (above)

He had a strong bond with the players, was instrumental in improving fitness standards and during his three years at Anfield, the club won four trophies.