Unai Emery has turned Aston Villa into the X-Men

It's been 27 years since Aston Villa last beat Manchester United at Villa Park.

I was 2. Two people at the game with me weren't even born. I'd wager a good portion of the stadium had never witnessed such an event live.

And it only took Unai Emery one whole game to turn that around.

Professor X

Now you see them, now you don't. Unai Emery turned his Villa lot into the X-Men.

With their mutant powers, they clawed away at Manchester United - two quick stabs and bamf; they were gone. 11 Nightcrawlers disappeared into a smoky cloud with Manchester United's walking legends left shadowboxing in the shade.

Even when Luke Shaw's deflected hit stunned our support, Villa provided the one thing they have rarely provided in the last 12 months: optimism grounded in on-pitch performance.

There's plenty to be excited about under Emery.

For one, his tactics. He is almost overbearing. A micro-manager of the highest order. That could be bad - say if he was Louis van Gaal at United. He was another man who would lace his boots up and play if he could contribute. He's another man who would literally dine on a football if it had nutritional value.

But it isn't bad, because Villa have lacked direction since the summer. They aren't a side full of massive egos, they are mouldable and fairly young.

You could see him working on Matty Cash all game. You could see him barking at Emi Buendia all game. He loves it. He was possessing our players, and while that might seem like a bit much - it is a breath of fresh air following a manager that didn't seem to do much apart from scowl from the dugout.

So yeah, he is Professor X, and he is bringing his school for gifted ones to B6.

The best thing about Dean Smith is that he made our players better. He was a natural coach. His tactics weren't A-grade, but his motivating skills, personality and background were. He made Jack Grealish into an elite-baller. He got magic from John McGinn. He helped make Ollie Watkins an England striker. He listened to the experience of Neil Cutler and Austin McPhee.

We can expect that already from Unai - with a difference. He's a tactician, with personality, with a solid pedigree. He is the upgrade we needed.

And he hasn't arrived a second too soon.

A word on Man U - if Villa were the X-Men, United were Elon Musk. Full to the brim with riches, but lacking the one thing they desperately want.

For United, it's consistent glory. For Musk it is to be found funny.

Spoiler alert: United are a bit away from being in title fights. Elon Musk will never actually be funny.

Our lot are even further away from success than United, but we are quite good now, aren't we?

Onto Thursday, where we may not be able to expect a win at Old Trafford, but we can expect a loud legion of fans, rotation, and a good performance under the leadership of a guy who has made cup games his forte.

Up the Villa

Villa Players as the X-Men

I mean, you can't be as huge a nerd as me, mention the X-Men and not compare them to Villa players, right?

Emi Buendia - Wolverine

Hugh Jackman caught you slipping - Wolverine isn't actually 6'3, he's 5'3 in the comics.

Who else do we know who is short, feisty, and the best there is at what he does (through balls)?

Cameron Archer - Cannonball

Absolute rocket. Might be invincible. Usually on fire, form-wise.

Jacob Ramsey - Phoenix

Clearly, the most powerful member of the team when they want to be. That isn't all the time, but when it's there, it's there.

Matty Cash - Domino

Tough as boots, recklessly aggressive and has the power of luck on their side - more often than not.

Emi Martinez - Iceman

A few years ago you'd have taken the piss, but he turned out to be an Omega-Level mutant in the end. Who'd have thought it? Nerves of steel, and ice running through his veins.

Tyrone Mings - Colossus

He's clearly made of strong stuff, and has a heart of gold.

Leander Dendoncker - Beast

Smart and big as fuck.

Douglas Luiz - Gambit

Effortlessly cool. A tricksy, flamboyant strategist with a penchant for showboating under pressure - and delivering some unexpected results.

Lucas Digne - Banshee

Can essentially fly and screams loudly when hit

John McGinn - Deadpool

Don't need to say anything else and yes, Deadpool is an X-Man.

Leon Bailey - Quicksilver

Faster than a speeding bullet and twice as explosive. Has a shot on him.

Ezri Konsa - Longshot

So much potential, hasn't really hit it, but it's there - clearly.

Ollie Watkins - Angel

Split on this. Watkins clearly makes everyone around him better - but he can't half take flight when he needs to. An underrated aerial presence that doesn't always come off, but when it does it is mighty.

Danny Ings - Forge

Definitely makes everyone around him better thanks to his experience and technical skills.

Coutinho - Magneto

Ball sticks to his feet, was seriously powerful - and remains so, but the magic is fading ever so slightly. Still wouldn't fuck with him.

Things for you to do

• Read Grace Robinson on xG and subscribe to her amazing newsletter.
• Watch Jon Mackenzie talking about Emery/Gerrard/Villa below and subscribe to Tifo on YouTube.