Ex-Aston Villa employee reveals latest Unai Emery decision that fans will 'love'

Aston Villa are at risk of "overkill" when it comes to the fitness of their players who are not about to go away on international duty.

That is according to former Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that Unai Emery has been the driver behind the club's decision to sanction a training camp in Spain during the upcoming break.

The Villans' trip to Spain will also see them line up in a friendly against Emery's former club Sevilla on 2 October, as both sides bid to maintain fitness during the break.

Wyness believes that the fans will "love" the latest opportunity to watch their team abroad, but has warned that Emery must be extremely "careful" as to how he manages his squad.

The boss took his team on a similar training camp last season, only to see Jadon Sancho pick up a nasty shoulder injury during a friendly against Elche.

Wyness has outlined that the planned trip suits all parties in theory, but has also warned that it could backfire for Emery.

Unai Emery wants to keep squad 'busy'

Villa's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that Emery is determined to keep his group "busy" while certain players head off to represent their countries.

The second city outfit are winless after their opening four Premier League games, and the boss has no interest in letting his players rest during the international break.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained why the decision to hold a training camp could prove to be a double-edged sword.

"I'd say it's mildly overkill for the players that haven't gone on international duty. It's something that Emery does quite often, having friendlies during the breaks," he said.

"I think the fans will love it because going to Seville in October, when it's still beautiful weather. What a lovely away weekend for them, and that will keep them happy. So I think that's a good move. 

"It's always the risk of injury; that's the one thing that you've got to think about. Villa have got a pretty thin squad, as we've discussed in previous weeks. And so they're going to have to be careful. 

"Should you really be looking to rest those players? Well, as I said, Emery likes to keep them busy and keep them moving during what is a longer international break than normal this time. 

"It's what he wants, and I'm not going to argue with Emery about how he wants to handle his squad. He's the man. As long as there are no injuries, it's a good move for everybody, and everybody should be happy."

Emery sack 'not impossible'

Former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that it is "not impossible" that Emery could be sacked in the coming weeks.

The ex-recruitment man suggested that internal talks with the club hierarchy will be necessary if the team continue to struggle on the pitch.

Brown suggested that Emery's prior work means that Villa want to stick with him for as long as possible, in the hope that he can turn things around.

Villa's season began in similar fashion last term, and the team ultimately recovered to secure qualification for the Champions League.