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Waking the Giant
- Author
- Gregg Evans, Matt Maher
- Narrator
- Daryl Foster
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 28 August 2025
- Run Time
- 10 hours 16 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
What to expect
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.
Critics Review
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'A quite brilliant book with some amazing insights into the rise of Villa from some very dark times with incredible details about how close Villa were to folding and then the ups and downs of Dean Smith, Gerrard and then Emery.' ★★★★★ Amazon reader review
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'Sat down at 6pm on the day of release to read this. Got off the sofa at 3am having not moved even for a drink … Some comical revelations and lots of insight. A great written record of the rise of the mighty Aston Villa.' ★★★★★ Amazon reader review
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'Absolutely superb book, read it in 3 days, much to the amusement of my wife who reckons it’s the first book I’ve actually read in years! Lots of interesting background info, a must for all Villa fans.' ★★★★★ Amazon reader review
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'Thoroughly enjoyed this book; a great insight into the recent evolution of the club with some incredible anecdotes. Credit to the great work and journalism from Evans & Maher. A must read for all Villa fans.' ★★★★★ Goodreads review
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'For anyone who is a die hard or ardent supporter of Aston Villa, this book is a must read. Charting the startling rise from days when the club were on the brink of insolvency to becoming a Champions League side is astonishing, insightful, and a reminder to always cherish this club we love.' ★★★★★ Goodreads review
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Details
- Author
- Gregg Evans, Matt Maher
- Narrator
- Daryl Foster
- Duration
- 10 hours 16 minutes
- Release Date
- 28 August 2025
- ISBN
- 9780008741037
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Association football (Soccer), History of sport, Biography: sport, Management: leadership and motivation, Social and cultural history
Synopsis
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.
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