Waking The Giant

The inside story of one football club’s astonishing revival, featuring exclusive interviews with Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and many other key figures.

In early July 2018, Aston Villa were 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 clubs stood on the brink of financial catastrophe. Yet less than six years later, Villa were celebrating qualification for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

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, to the promotion and remarkable Premier League survival inspired by boyhood supporter Dean Smith, right up to the present day and their return to the European elite under Unai Emery.

It is a tale of triumph plucked from the jaws of despair, with Villa repeatedly defying the odds to climb back to English football’s top table.

From club-record runs and great escapes from relegation to British-record transfers, this roller-coaster ride is 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), Jesús García 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.

ISBN

9780008741006

Format

Hardback

Publisher

HarperNorth, (17 July 2025)

Number of Pages

288

Weight

540 grams

Language

English

Dimensions

240 x 159 x 32 mm

Categories:

Social and cultural Leadership and motivation Sport History of sport Association football Soccer