New Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has sought to bring Pako Ayesteran back to English football.

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

The pair worked together at Valencia, helping the club finish third in LaLiga before Ayestaran departed in 2010. Ayestaran left because he wished to become a manager in his own right, reports the Daily Mail.

The 59-year-old returned to Valencia in 2016, initially as Gary Neville's assistant and then as permanent boss when the former Manchester United defender was sacked.

Ayestaran was then dismissed in September 2016 after a run of poor results.

Emery's first game in charge is likely to be against Manchester United next weekend, as his work permit will not have been approved before the match at Newcastle on Saturday.