Top 10 Best Aston Villa Manager Ever (Ranked)

In the history of English football, Aston Villa managers have achieved great success in putting the club on the elite club list. Since 1897, the club has been competing on the highest level in English football, winning numerous accolades in the process, courtesy of a few great managers who built strong teams in different eras.

The home ground of Aston Villa, Villa Park, has welcomed some of the best Premier League managers like Unai Emery, Roberto Di Matteo, and Paul Lambert. Even one of the all time Liverpool legends, Steven Gerrard, was also a part of the chronological list of Aston Villa managers. Without further wait, let’s discuss the last 10 managers who took charge on the sidelines of Villa Park.

List of Greatest Aston Villa Manager

Now, let’s take a look at our list of the best Aston Villa manager of all-time based on several key factors like how long they managed the club, achievements, and impact.

How We Ranked the Best Aston Villa Manager of All Time?

Tenure: The primary factor that was considered while making this list was the tenure of these managers, based on how long they have managed the club. We ranked these managers.

Impact: The secondary parameter that was considered while crafting this list was their overall impact in making this club great. Their strategies and tactics to make this club compete against the elite clubs.

Trophies/Achievements: While only a handful got their hands on silverware, we did consider their consistency in leading the clubs to finals of any major tournament.

Who is the Greatest Aston Villa Manager of All Time?

There have been numerous great figures who have managed the English Premier League club Aston Villa and given their absolute best in making this club stand toe-to-toe as one of the elite top division clubs in Europe.

10. Tommy Docherty (1968–1970)

Docherty was Doug Ellis’s first managerial appointment when he bought Villa in 1968. “The Doc” was known for his charismatic personality and ability to motivate players, but his time at Villa was short and difficult. He inherited a team struggling in the Second Division and couldn’t turn things around quickly enough.

His 13-month spell ended with Villa bottom of the Second Division, which wasn’t what anyone hoped for. The Scottish manager’s approach to player development and his understanding of what Villa could become helped lay some groundwork for future success.

9. David O’Leary (2003–2006)

O’Leary arrived with a reputation for developing young players from his time at Leeds and Arsenal. His first season at Villa was excellent, getting sixth place and European qualification when nobody expected it.

His work with young players was good but the inconsistent results frustrated everyone. Getting relegated to 16th place in his final season wasn’t acceptable, but his contributions to the club’s development shouldn’t be forgotten.

8. Dean Smith (2018–2022)

Dean Smith is arguably one of the best Aston Villa manager of all-time, courtesy of a courageous journey as a coach. When everything was going south at Villa Park, Smith arrived as a savior from Brentford. Under his stewardship, Jack Grealish-led Aston Villa broke the club’s 109-year-old winning streak by claiming 10 victories in 10 matches in the Championship. Smith then led the Lions to earn the Premier League promotion after beating Derby County in the play-off final.

The 2019 transfer window saw Villa spending a club record £145.5 million to bring several talented players including the likes of Jota, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, and Douglas Luiz. Off the back of a strong squad, Smith’s Aston Villa reached the FA Cup final, but only to lose 1-2 against a strong Manchester City team. His one of biggest achievements as the Aston Villa manager was pulling off a famous 7-2 home win over Liverpool in the 2020/21 Premier League season. In 2021, Smith parted ways with the Lions after some poor results.

7. Ron Atkinson (1991–1994)

“Big Ron” led Villa into the Premier League era with a bang, getting them to second place in the very first season. That achievement has never been matched by the club since then. His team played attractive football and were genuine title contenders against Ferguson’s Manchester United for most of that campaign.

Winning the 1994 League Cup was the perfect reward for Atkinson’s attacking philosophy. The 3-1 victory over United showed that Villa could beat anyone on their day. However, his relationship with the board became difficult and the team’s form dropped dramatically, leading to his dismissal less than eight months after winning the cup.

6. Martin O’Neill (2006–2010)

O’Neill gave Villa their most consistent Premier League period, with three straight sixth-place finishes. He understood how to get the best out of players and his tactical flexibility helped Villa punch above their weight. The disappointment of missing out on Champions League qualification in 2008-09 still hurts Villa fans.

His work in the transfer market was smart and he improved several players who went on to have excellent careers elsewhere. O’Neill’s resignation just before the 2010-11 season was devastating because everyone could see the progress being made. The club took over a decade to reach those heights again.

5. John Gregory (1998–2002)

Gregory’s start at Villa was absolutely incredible – winning nine out of his first eleven games and taking them from mid-table to European qualification. His attacking style of football was exciting to watch and the players responded brilliantly to his methods. Villa were actually top of the league at Christmas in 1998.

The consistency Gregory brought over four seasons was impressive. Three consecutive finishes between sixth and eighth place showed he knew how to maintain standards. His sudden resignation in 2002 was strange because the club was still performing well, but his impact on Villa’s structure during those years was significant.

4. Graham Taylor (1987–1990)

Taylor arrived at Villa when the club was stuck in the Second Division and immediately got them promoted in his first season. The way he organized the team and improved their mental strength was exactly what Villa needed.

Getting Villa to second place in the First Division in 1989-90 was probably his greatest achievement. They were actually leading the title race for most of the season before Liverpool caught them at the end. Taylor’s work at Villa earned him the England job, which shows how much respect he had in football circles.

3. Brian Little (1994–1998)

Little took over when Villa were fighting relegation under Ron Atkinson. He immediately stabilized the club and got them climbing back up the table. The English manager’s tactical understanding and player-management skills helped Villa reach fourth and fifth place finishes in consecutive seasons.

The former Villa player brought something special back to the club – he understood what it meant to wear the shirt. Winning the 1996 League Cup was brilliant, but more importantly, he gave Villa fans hope again. His resignation in 1998 was a shock because everyone could see the progress he was making with the squad.

2. Unai Emery (2022-Present)

The current Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery, has transformed the club into one of the most dangerous teams to face in the English Premier League. The Spanish coach arrived at Villa Park in 2022. Despite defeats against the table toppers, Villa completed a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, earning European football qualification. In his debut season, he was nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Season award.

The 2023/24 season saw the Villans securing a top-four finish in the English top flight under Unai Emery. The club booked their first spot in the UEFA Champions League since 1982. For his exceptional performance as the Aston Villa manager, the club extended Emery’s contract until 2029. Many Villa fans might say that Unai Emery is the best Aston Villa manager of all time.

1. George Ramsay (1884–1926)

Well, no one comes close to what George Ramsay has achieved for the club with his modern football management. The Scottish legend spent 42 years at Villa Park and won six FA Cups plus six First Division titles during what they call Villa’s “Golden Age.” His approach to building a club from the ground up was revolutionary for that time.

Ramsay understood that success comes from having proper structure and stability. He didn’t just manage teams; he built the entire foundation that made Villa the most successful club in England until the 1970s. The way he developed young talent and maintained consistency over decades is something current managers still try to copy.