Aston Villa fans can't believe it - 'these are the people who are going to suffer'

Aston Villa fans have been left in a state of dismay after losing their best players despite a hugely successful season.

That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne have left the club this summer, and more could still follow them out of the door.

Villa won the Europa League in May, qualifying for the Champions League in a moment that many hoped would see them kick on to the next step of their development under Unai Emery.

But this summer has felt like a knockback, with the Villans now forced to rebuild with younger and less experienced players.

Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes and Alejandro Garnacho have arrived so far, with more expected to follow in the coming weeks.

Aston Villa fans were 'jumping up and down'

Unfortunately, Villa fans have become far too aware of just how brutal the Premier League can be.

Despite having such a successful season, Emery has been forced to accept the reality of how the top dogs continue to dominate.

Profit and sustainability rules continue to hamstring Villa, and, most of the time, when the so-called big six come knocking, players simply do not turn them down.

"Where do you replace people who have become fan favourites? You know, these are the people who are going to suffer, I feel," King told Football Insider.

"I mean, the supporters must be scratching their heads wondering: 'Why did we get in the Champions League and why do we need this class of player that's got us there? And now we've sold them both.'

"They must have been jumping up and down watching their performances in the World Cup, because both were prominent for their countries. Then all of a sudden, one goes to Man United and the other one goes to Chelsea.

"I find it very hard. I find it very hard for Rogers. But then it all comes down to money, you know. How much money can you earn? You can only dream of the kind of wages that they're both going to be on."

Newcastle United situation showcases dangerous possibility

The situation unfolding at Newcastle United has served as a reminder for Villa of just how dangerous a poor summer can be.

Just last summer, the Magpies had qualified for the Champions League and had ended their own trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.

12 months later, Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have left, with Bruno Guimaraes to join them in the coming days. Fed up with the exodus or simply incapable of taking the project forward, long-term manager Eddie Howe has stepped down, too.

Villa cannot allow the same scenario to play out at Villa Park, with a drive for stability this season incredibly important.