A threadbare Aston Villa squad fell apart against Brighton at the Amex Stadium - and champions Arsenal are on the horizon with problems mounting for Unai Emery. The Villa boss has been forced to watch on as his Europa League-winning squad has been decimated during the summer transfer window. Four of the starting line-up from that May final have departed, leaving gaping holes across the pitch, and the situation could worsen before they host Arsenal at Villa Park, live on Monday Night Football.
The seismic changes caused a storm that even the experienced Emery could not weather on the opening weekend. Villa became just the second team in Premier League history to concede four goals, receive a red card and score an own goal in the first half - after Southampton against Manchester United in 2020/21. Starts to the season do not get much worse.
Emery has navigated slow starts before: Villa did not score a league goal until September 21 last season only to recover and secure Champions League football, but this feels like his biggest challenge yet. The situation appears bleak but there is no time for self-pity - changes, adjustments and reinforcements are desperately needed. Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa are gone.
Ollie Watkins is another big name and cornerstone of the squad approaching an exit amid interest from Al Hilal. I can only answer it by silence," was the response from Emery when asked why Watkins did not make the trip to the south coast for the defeat at Brighton, as his side unravelled to an embarrassing defeat without a recognised striker named in the squad. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Emiliano Martinez, a stalwart in goal, was also absent and is pursuing an exit after a move to Juventus fell through.
His replacement, Zion Suzuki, watched on from the bench as his new side failed to land a blow in the one-sided brawl at the Amex. Villa's squad retention is the lowest in the Premier League at 65.6 per cent, followed closely by Tottenham at 67.1 per cent. However, changes at Spurs were needed given back-to-back 17th-placed finishes.
Villa's squad has been pulled apart from a point of success. Joao Gomes, another new recruit and a man Villa were relying on to fill one of the many chasms, was sent off on his league debut at Brighton to add salt to the wound of the dismal defeat. Record signing Johan Manzambi is yet to make an appearance due to injury and will not be available to face Arsenal, joining Amadou Onana on the sidelines following his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury at the World Cup.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
