Monchi has left Villa and been replaced by fellow Spaniard Roberto Olabe as Villa's new sporting director.
In Spain, it's been suggested Monchi had left burned out at Villa and felt he had taken the team as far as he could given their Profit & Sustainability battles.
And Emery, ahead of Villa's Europa League opener with Bologna, confirmed: “We arrived here three years ago with the project we did with the club. Myself as a manager, and with the people around me.
“Monchi, he arrived 6-7 months after we arrived. He worked here two years. Personally, very good, professionally as well, very good.
“After two years, he needed to have another chapter in his career and mutually agreed with the club. I am wishing him the best in his new chapter.
“We reacted quick as well, with one person I know personally, and I have a lot of confidence as well, with Roberto Olabe, and he is coming to help us.”