Waking the Giant

The true story of one football club's astonishing return to the top Featuring exclusive interviews with Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, along with many other key figures Aston Villa are Europa League champions and cementing their place among England's elite — a club utterly transformed, and still rising. But not so long ago the club was staring into the abyss. Locked in a cash crisis triggered by defeat in the Championship play-off final, one of English football's most historic and successful clubs stood on the brink of financial catastrophe. Waking The Giant takes you inside one of the most extraordinary revival acts in modern football, from the last-minute takeover by billionaire duo Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens which saved the club, through the promotion and equally remarkable Premier League survival inspired by boyhood supporter Dean Smith, to the return to European football under Unai Emery — and the foundations laid for the triumphs that have followed. To understand how Villa lifted a European trophy and reclaimed their seat at the top table of English football, you first need to understand the journey. This is where it began. It is a tale of triumph plucked from the jaws of despair, several times over, with Villa frequently defying the odds to keep climbing — a club rebuilt from the ground up, piece by piece, until the unthinkable became inevitable. From club record runs to great escapes from relegation and British record transfers, this is a rollercoaster ride not to be missed. Featuring exclusive interviews with: Jack Grealish John McGinn Ollie Watkins Tyrone Mings Ezri Konsa Albert Adomah Damian Vidagany, Director of Football Operations Jesus Garcia Pitarch, former sporting director Dean Smith, former manager Keith Wyness, former CEO And dozens of other off-the-record conversations with key figures, managers, coaches, players and staff.