During his two years with the Yellow Submarine, Unai Emery has been more than willing to bring former Premier League players to the team.
The Spaniard was out of work for eight months after being fired from his job at the El Madrigal.
With the former Valencia, Sevilla and Paris Saint Germain manager tipped to make further signings with Premier League connections this summer, there could be an even more familiar look about them this season.
The HITC Sport has put together a potential XI.
Potential Villarreal XI made up of former Premier League players
There is a goalkeeper, Pepe Reina.
The 39-year-old rejoined the club he first joined twenty years ago from Barcelona.
During his first stint at the El Madrigal, Reina made over 100 appearances for the club.
Geronimo Rulli is Emery’s number one and will be challenged by the former Spain international, who is back in Spain.
Kiko Femenia is a running back.
The former Alaves full-back has joined the Hornets after five years with them.
Over 150 appearances were made by the former Barcelona youngster.
CB is Juan Foyth
After spending the 2020-21 season on loan at Villarreal, Emery signed the Argentine on a permanent deal.
Over the course of his two seasons in Spain, the Argentine has made 69 appearances.
CB is belonging to Alberto Moreno.
The former player is currently recovering from an injury.
We had to find a way to fit the Spaniard in this side because he would not be a good fit at centre-back.
The 30-year-old made 141 appearances for the Reds over the course of five seasons before moving to Spain.
LB, Pervis Estupinan.
He never played a game for the Hornets first team despite signing for them.
Estupinan has impressed under the guidance of Emery and has been linked with a summer move to Spurs.
CM is Etienne Capoue.
Since being signed in January 2021, the former Spurs and Hornets player has become a regular under the former boss.
He scored two goals and provided four assists in a run to the last-four.
The CM is Francis Coquelin.
When Emery took over in north London, the former France Under-21 international had already been sold to Valencia.
After two-and-a-half years at the Mestalla, the all-action midfielder was signed by Emery and the man who was close to taking over at St James’ Park last year has made 60 appearances under him.
Tanguy Ndombele is a CM.
According to a report by Fabrizio Romano, the two teams are in talks over the transfers of the two players.
Three years after Spurs paid Lyon a club-record £58m to sign the talented Frenchman, his career has not changed.
There is a chance that a change of scenery in Spain and playing under Emery will help rediscover the best form.
Giovanni Lo Celso is a wrestler.
The Argentine doesn’t look like he will have a future with the Spurs.
The man looked to enjoy playing his football under the man who was once his boss.
The player is Arnaut Danjuma.
In his first season with Villarreal, the former Bournemouth star scored 16 goals, six of which were strikes in the European competition.
The 25-year-old Netherlands international turned down a move to West Ham United this summer, but he will be hoping to improve on last season’s fine form during his first campaign in Spain.
Edinson Cavani is in the area.
Despite talk of a move to Boca Juniors, the former Manchester United forward is focused on securing a dream move to La Liga, according to his friend.
