Tim Sherwood: "Unai Emery Will Win the Europa League, "Box Office"…

Published on April 21st, 2026

Tim Sherwood has watched Unai Emery transform Aston Villa from top to bottom — and he believes the best is still to come.

Speaking exclusively with BoyleSports , he also delivers verdicts on Mourinho at Newcastle , Anthony Gordon's future, Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or case, and the England picture.

Plus his thoughts on Frank Lampard , Leicester's collapse, and the players who could define the World Cup .

Just how good a job is Unai Emery doing at Aston Villa?

Unai Emery is doing a magnificent job. Four games in, they could not score a goal — a horrendous start to the season. All of a sudden, he picked them up, and they went on an unbelievable run, putting themselves at the top of the league, and they have not looked back. Yes, they had a wobble when they picked up injuries to Tielemans , McGinn , Kamara was still out, and Onana for a period was missing. But they weathered that storm and came bouncing back.

They will qualify for the Champions League by their league position. I think they will then go on and win the Europa League . He has won it four times. This will be his fifth, because he is an unbelievable manager. That is a great club who deserve to win something very soon, and I think it might be this year.

Could Unai Emery leave Aston Villa for Manchester United or Real Madrid?

I do not see Unai Emery going to Real Madrid because Real Madrid do not want a coach. This man coaches; he wants to run the club. They gave him the keys at Villa and said take over the club. And why would you not trust him? From where Steven Gerrard left it to where he is now, and what he took that club to last season as well.

Man United , possibly. I could have an argument for Unai Emery taking over, or Michael Carrick . There is not another manager I would have the argument with when it comes to Michael Carrick . If Man United continue with that quality of recruitment, Mbuemo , Cunha , and Lammens have been excellent. Michael can challenge on all fronts next season. Give him the job. But wait until the end of the season, let him finish what he has done.

Could Newcastle fans begin to turn on Eddie Howe?

Newcastle have one of the most loyal fan bases you will ever find. Even if they have decided that is not what they want, they will be very reluctant to call for Eddie to leave, given the success last year. He has overachieved since he has been at the club. Recruitment has not been good. Elanga has been poor. Woltemade has been poor. Wissa has been poor as well. It is only Malick Thiaw who has really done it. Recent history is not great, and then they paid the price with Isak leaving as well.

Would Jose Mourinho shake things up at Newcastle?

Jose Mourinho to Newcastle ? These boys need guidance and coaching, and Jose does do that. But he also likes to operate with top-drawer players, and that is when he has been most successful. Apart from the Porto days when he won the Champions League against the odds, the success Jose has had is when he had the best players and the money to spend. When he has been to Turkey and now Benfica , there is no success. So you will be very careful what you wish for. But he is box office — it is always going to be box office with Jose .

Could Anthony Gordon try and force a move away from Newcastle?

The Newcastle fan base would say, if you do not want to be here, just leave. I think his value would be very high. However, he has not performed consistently. Bayern or Liverpool ? Liverpool would be a headache for him due to the Everton links, too much aggravation. But Bayern Munich offer Champions League football and are probably favourites to win it this year. A different culture, a different lifestyle. There are not many better options than Bayern .

Can Harry Kane get to 60 goals this season for Bayern?

The only reason Harry Kane will not get to 60 goals is because they are managing his minutes. When Messi and Ronaldo set the records, they played every minute of every game. Harry is carrying a little knock, and they are picking his games. But he comes on at half-time and still scores. He is still capable of scoring whenever he is on the pitch.

I think the big ones will be PSG and Bayern Munich . That is the final for me. Arsenal will beat Atletico because Atletico are poor. Bayern will beat PSG and then win the Champions League . It has to be the Ballon d'Or then. No question. I think France will win the World Cup, and I cannot see a French player who has been that outstanding in any domestic league.

How timely is Ollie Watkins' return to form with the World Cup approaching?

It is a good time for Ollie . If I am a manager, I am looking at that and thinking he almost shouted down my letterbox — I am here. He is not Harry Kane . Who is? The most like Harry Kane is Jude Bellingham playing in the nine. Ollie gives you another option. He has done it in the semi-final; he has shown he can do it. He is sitting forward at the right time. Could be a European champion.

Will Morgan Rogers keep Cole Palmer out of the England side?

At the moment, Morgan Rogers will keep Cole Palmer out of the England side, for me. He gives you something different. He travels with that ball brilliantly. He is brave. He can drift out to the left-hand side, and that is where he is more effective, coming in central. His numbers are still good. He had a little dip, same as Ollie Watkins . But they have both come back through it. Thomas Tuchel is right to put it on his back.

Is Jordan Henderson deserving of a place in the England squad?

That is what Thomas Tuchel wants him for. Jordan Henderson is a good player to bring on if you need to hold on to a lead — someone who has been there and done it, with that level of experience and know-how. Declan Rice and Harry Kane are two obvious leaders. And I think Thomas may as well take one like Jordan Henderson . Players like this do not come around often. It is not only what happens on the pitch, it is also around the team hotel. He has clearly shown the manager that he can be that.