Aston Villa's new partnership with Spanish club Real Unión de Irun is a direct result of manager Unai Emery's profound family connection to the historic Basque side. The Premier League club's parent company, V Sports, acquired a 24% stake in Real Unión as part of a €4.5 million share issue, formalising a strategic link that has already seen five young Villa players join the Spanish outfit.
Unai Emery's family roots at Real Unión run deep across three generations. His grandfather, Antonio Emery, was the club's goalkeeper during their time in Spain's top flight from 1929 to 1932, famously conceding the first goal in LaLiga history. Emery's father also played for the club, and his 23-year-old son, Lander Emery, is currently a goalkeeper in their squad.
Family rescue mission
Led by Unai's brother Igor Emery, now the club's president and majority shareholder, the family assumed significant debts and injected capital through successive share issues. Their total investment reached €4.5 million, securing a 53% controlling stake. This intervention stabilised a club that had been operating with no spending controls and a damaged reputation due to unpaid bills. The financial support, which covers ongoing losses, has allowed for improved facilities, the creation of a women's team, and a revitalised academy. The partnership with Aston Villa emerged after Real Unión's previous collaboration with Real Sociedad ended, opening the door for Villa's involvement.
A historic club's new chapter
Real Unión, four-time Copa del Rey winners with their last title coming in 1927, have not been in Spain's top division since 1932. The club's rescued trophies now sit proudly in the boardroom, symbols of a past the Emery family is determined to honour while building a sustainable future. Their long-term vision includes developing a community training ground for the local region. While Unai Emery focuses on his day job at Villa Park-where the team sits 16th in the Premier League with four points from five games-he maintains regular contact with the club his grandfather once guarded.
This off-field development comes as Aston Villa prepare for a key home match against fourth-placed Brentford on October 10. The team's form has picked up recently, with four wins in their last five games including a 3-1 victory at Sevilla. Fans can follow the team's progress and check the full fixtures schedule as Unai Emery balances his Premier League duties with a deeply personal project back in the Basque Country.
This story first appeared at ESPN Soccer
