{"product_id":"9780008741044","title":"Waking the Giant : The Story of Aston Villa's Glorious Revival","description":"\u003cp\u003eby Evans, Gregg | Warwickshire \u003cbr\u003ePublished 13\/08\/2026 by HarperCollins Publishers (HarperNorth) in the United Kingdom \u003cbr\u003ePaperback | 288 pages, 20 col plates (8pp)\u003cbr\u003e197 x 130 x 25mm | 256g\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe true story of one football club's astonishing return to the top\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  Featuring exclusive interviews with Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, along with many other key figures\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  Aston Villa are Europa League champions and cementing their place among England's elite — a club utterly transformed, and still rising.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e From club record runs to great escapes from relegation and British record transfers, this is a rollercoaster ride not to be missed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Featuring exclusive interviews with:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Jack GrealishJohn McGinnOllie WatkinsTyrone MingsEzri KonsaAlbert AdomahDamian Vidagany, Director of Football OperationsJesus Garcia Pitarch, former sporting directorDean Smith, former managerKeith Wyness, former CEO\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e And dozens of other off-the-record conversations with key figures, managers, coaches, players and staff.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"THE CLEEVE BOOKSHOP LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57369897533815,"sku":"9780008741044","price":9.89,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/0729\/3737\/files\/9780008741044.jpg?v=1786450596","url":"https:\/\/thecleevebookshop.co.uk\/products\/9780008741044","provider":"The Cleeve Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}