Aitor Karanka - Hero of the Villans

Great story as always Toon.. It will be difficult to beat Glenn's Villa though

Aitor pulled on his tie and tightened it. He had just arrived from the training ground, where he had met the squad for the first time and had begun to instruct them on his own tactics- though he had to adapt to their current tactics a little, as it was the middle of the season.

Aitor walked out in the press conference and raised his hand, greeting the journalists warmly before taking a seat at the front of the room, a microphone in front of him. This was not new to him. He had attended several press conferences beside Mourinho, so it was not intimidating.

"Hi there, Aitor, and welcome to the Premier League," one journalist welcomed, to which Aitor nodded. "So, my question is, what is it like obtaining a job at a club with a huge reputation but, currently, a poor league position?"

"It's an honour, of course," Aitor admitted. "I was not expecting to obtain this job, and I am very happy that I have been given the opportunity to return in to it's glory days."

"You say that expect to return Villa to it's glory days?" One member of the Media butted in. "Overall, what are your ambitions?"

"Well, right away, I obviously want to make sure Villa have a solid finish this year in the Premier League. I need to make sure they are here next year," Aitor hesitated. "But then, I will focus on taking them up the table over the seasons until they cannot go any higher."

"Ambitious talk," another Journalist nodded. "Benteke is linked to several other clubs. Do you have an update in terms of his future with Villa?"

"I have had a word with Christian, and as far as I am concerned, he isn't going anywhere right now," Aitor nodded adamantly. "I am confident we will keep him, along side the other young talent in our squad."

"Your squad could do with some replacements, though you probably don't have a huge budget to work with. Do you have many plans in January?" Another journalist questioned.

"I do, actually. I am looking to get perhaps one or two first team players that are relatively cheap, but at the same time, quality," Aitor retorted. "I may also look to bolstering the depth of the team. Maybe I will get some more young players in to the team."

"Are there any first team players now that you won't be using? For example, Darren Bent hasn't been played that much this season, will you be cashing in on him?"

"Certainly not," Aitor scoffed. "The only players I will be selling are the ones who get offers above their worth. I will try and use every player that plays well- this includes Bent."

"Right, I think that's enough questions now," an Aston Villa representative said. "Clear off, bloody press," he whispered under his breath.

Aitor stood up and smiled at the cameras before turning away and walking towards his office. There it was, on the door. 'A.KARANKA - MANAGER.' He smirked.

Really good update again, keep it up Good luck for pre season!

This is looking amazing so far - good luck

Aitor sat down on to the comfortable away bench of the Manchester United stadium. He glanced up at the fans. They were passionate, intimidating, as usual- but something was wrong. It seemed those who attended the games for the glory were gone, and now, the die-hard supporters remained. This was because Manchester United had fallen to the middle of the table.

Aitor walked over to David Moyes and put out a hand. "Good luck,"

"Likewise," the Scotsman nodded casually and shook his hand. Aitor could tell, however, that Moyes was tense. His job was on the line, only a couple of months after he'd been appointed. If Moyes was to be sacked, his time as Manchester manager would be dramatically different to Sir Alex's.

The whistle blew and the game kicked off. For the first couple of minutes, the ball was played in to Villa's half by the Manchester attackers and they brewed a very promising attack, but, when the ball was intercepted by claret & blue defenders, Aitor's plan set in to motion.

The ball was chipped to Gabby Agbonlahor's feet. This was an intentional move. The first thing Aitor noticed about Gabby was his pace, and because of it, he'd made him the linkup man. Agbonlahor knocked the ball past Carrick and began to sprint up through the middle of the pitch with the ball comfortably under control.

"To Bent..." Aitor whispered, spotting the seasoned striker running in to a very good position. "To Bent!" Aitor repeated, louder this time.

Agbonlahor knocked the side of his foot against the ball so that it slid right in to Bent's control, who turned past the defender and rifled his boot in to the apex of the ball, sending it shooting in to the bottom right corner of the net and leaving De Gea fumbling on the ground.

Aitor merely nodded. He knew this would not last if they did not continue playing. It was too early to celebrate against a side like Manchester United, who had a history of turning results like this on their head and embarrassing their foes.

Bent steamed down the pitch, grinning and raising his arms to the away fans. "Four minute goal," the speaker in the stadium announced. "Darren Bent." The Aston Villa fans chanted and sung. "Manchester United 0, Aston Villa 1." Aitor guiltily glanced at Moyes, who held his face in his hands.

The rest of the half past by very quickly. Not many chances graced either net, and for most of the time it was just nerves from both side. One team was at risk of relegation, the other one was much further down the table then they had earlier expected.

When the half time whistle blew, the squad walked in to the changing room proudly. "Very well done so far," Aitor nodded simply. "Buy we aren't out of the woods." The Villa squad peered at him, attention set on the Spaniard.

"We all know how Man United play their game. When they come-back it's late, and fast. So we have to expect that. Not only will we expect it, but we will prevent it." Aitor paced the floor. "If they do score, we will retaliate. Do not let them take advantage and score again. I will not be disappointing if we come out with one point, but, you are all capable of obtaining all three. Now are you all ready?"

"Yes, coach," most of the players replied.

When the game kickstarted it seemed Manchester had a new mentality. Everything they did made the Villa defense looks like fools. It would only be a matter of time before they equalized.

"Look for Nani, Look for Nani," Moyes called out. Aitor glanced at the Portuguese midfielder, who had the ball passed to him. Nani chipped the ball past Clark and then hit it home, sending the home fans in to raptures.

"Sort yourselves out!" Aitor yelled, disgruntled. "We can't let them score again! Westwood, play deeper!"

The game drudged on and on. Every now and then each team would have a good chance- at one point the Man United fans began to cheer, as they did not realize that Giggs had actually missed the goal completely and hit an old man in the face with his shot- on another occasion, Benteke got his head on a ball which slipped through De Gea's fingers but was cleared by a careful Rafael.

The timer ticked on by until the final whistle blew. Moyes' face was as cold as stone. He was clearly not happy with the loss. Aitor, on the other hand, was delighted he'd won a point at the infamous Old Trafford.

He walked in to the changing room with a spring in his step, and suddenly, his ambitions at Villa did not seem as unrealistic as first presumed.

A great start for Aitor. A couple of wins at home and that league position will improve for sure.

2013-08-08 14:18#126239 Arvind : A great start for Aitor. A couple of wins at home and that league position will improve for sure.

Here are the first few games though:

Man United away
Newcastle home (Newcastle are second in the league)
Spurs away
Arsenal home

Nice story but i'm a tad confused as to why your first game was in November?

He started unemployed, but he got the Villa job after the season had started

Great couple of updates.. The giggs part.. Lol

2013-08-08 15:47#126250 Louis O. : He started unemployed, but he got the Villa job after the season had started

He was the Real Madrid ass man!

2013-08-08 15:41#126248 Nathaniel : Nice story but i'm a tad confused as to why your first game was in November?

I was unemployed until then, then the Villa boss got fired and I applied.

LOL Karanka as Manchester United manager. I dont know how this happened but I will be waiting for the next update to see Karanka debuting as a manager.

2013-08-08 18:03#126276 andrew98 : LOL Karanka as Manchester United manager. I dont know how this happened but I will be waiting for the next update to see Karanka debuting as a manager.

Villa, mate.

2013-08-08 22:02#126317 Toon :

2013-08-08 18:03#126276 andrew98 : LOL Karanka as Manchester United manager. I dont know how this happened but I will be waiting for the next update to see Karanka debuting as a manager.

Villa, mate.

Oh, sorry, I misread.

Andrew totally brain farted!