Unai Emery has revealed that a phone call with Juan Mata played a key role in Aston Villa’s decision to sign Andrés García.
Villa completed the deal for the little-known Spaniard during the January transfer window, with Emery now lifting the lid on how the move came together behind the scenes.
Speaking about the process, Emery said he reached out to Mata for extra information on the player before giving the green light. “I called him,” Emery explained, as he detailed how the former Manchester United midfielder helped him build a clearer picture of García’s character and qualities.
The Villa boss also made it clear the club acted after doing their homework, using personal contacts to back up their own scouting work before pushing ahead with the signing.
García, a former Manchester United player who has largely been out of the spotlight in recent years, is now set for a new chapter in the Premier League under Emery.
Aston Villa have continued to reshape their squad as they aim to keep pace at the top end of the table, and Emery’s comments offered a rare insight into the personal conversations that can influence recruitment decisions.
