Unai Emery Responds After Failing to Shake Rob Edwards’ Hand Following Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa

Unai Emery Responds After Skipping Handshake With Rob Edwards Following Wolves Defeat

Unai Emery has addressed the controversy after he did not shake hands with following Aston Villa’s 2-0 loss to relegation-threatened Wolves on Friday night.

Once contenders in the Premier League title race, Villa have now won only one of their last six league matches, leaving them vulnerable to being overtaken by fourth-placed this weekend.

Wolves secured their second victory of the season from 29 attempts at Molineux, courtesy of second-half strikes from and . While relegation remains a looming threat, Edwards’ side has regained some pride in recent weeks and now sits on 13 points.

Emery Faces Criticism for Post-Match Behavior

Emery’s absence from the customary post-match handshake drew criticism on social media. When asked by a Sky Sports reporter why he headed straight down the tunnel after Wolves’ second goal, Emery tersely replied:

“No, the match was finished…”

Meanwhile, Edwards addressed the situation in his post-match press conference. As reported by ’s Jacob Tanswell, Edwards said:

“Not yet, I get it. The two games we won both managers had disappeared. They probably think they can turn up and win given how the season has gone! I’ve got a lot of respect for Unai, I think he’s brilliant, so it’s fine.”

This incident is not the first time Emery has raised eyebrows for skipping handshakes after a defeat. In December, following Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Villa, he explained his actions by saying: “I can’t wait forever. It was cold.”

Stan Collymore Voices Fan Frustration

Despite Villa’s solid season, fans are growing concerned that the team could unravel in the closing months. Former Villa striker voiced his thoughts on Twitter following the Wolves defeat:

“Unai Emery is a great coach but not beyond criticism. If Liverpool fans can criticise a title-winning coach, and City fans bag Pep when he gets it wrong, then Unai isn’t off limits.”

Collymore argued that Villa’s current style is too slow:

“With a fully fit squad, slow play can work because the players in midfield and attack can exploit openings, but now it’s just slow. The coaching staff need to instill a simple message, or we risk a major collapse over the next 8–9 games.”

He suggested Villa should focus on aggressive, high-tempo football rather than chasing European ambitions:

“Forget Europe for now. Play with aggression, pace, and intensity, make the opposition uncomfortable, work harder on set pieces, and embrace the basics. If we do that, we can survive until the squad is fully available again.”

Collymore concluded by questioning whether Emery has a viable Plan B:

“Managers must adapt. Injuries, poor form, and loss of confidence will hit at some point. If Villa play the same way for the next eight games, Europe will be out of reach. Emery’s selections tonight will show if he has a plan.”