Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was in the running at the prestigious Ballon d'Or awards

Damian Vidagany believes Unai Emery ‘deserved’ to be crowned Men’s Coach of the Year at last night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The Aston Villa boss was in the running alongside the likes of Luis Enrique, Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta, who won their domestic league titles, with Enrique also adding a second Champions League victory with Paris Saint-Germain.

Emery was nominated after ending Villa’s 30 year wait for a major trophy when his side swept aside SC Freiburg in the Europa League final.

Instead the award went to Luis De la Fuente who guided Spain to their second World Cup title.

But Villa’s Director of Football Operations, Vidagany backed his man and took to social media to underline Emery’s achievements: “I am not a big fan of individual awards because football means teamwork and family and belonging to something greater.

Make sure you never miss the latest Aston Villa news and opinion by making Birmingham Live one of your Google preferred sources.

“But Unai represents his own excellency and the hard work and effort of hundreds of men and women with a purpose in Aston Villa. From owners to staff.

“Unai didn’t win but he deserved with my high respect to Luis De la Fuente, also a fair winner. And if there will be one for the best sporting director it would be for Roberto [Olabe]. Keep going guys. Our Ballon d’Or is what we are building. UTV.”

New Villa star Johan Manzambi was also at the awards dinner having been put up in the Men’s Young Talent of the Year which was handed to Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, who was part of De la Fuente’s World Cup winning squad.