Aston Villa now have perfect chance to restore behind-the-scenes harmony

Aston Villa may never get a better opportunity to kickstart their season than the one that is set up for them this week.

Unai Emery's side have taken just one point from their opening four Premier League games, and now also face the prospect of juggling their league campaign with their Champions League assignments.

The second city outfit tasted defeat again last weekend, as they succumbed to a late Igor Jesus goal to lose at home to Nottingham Forest.

It has been far from an ideal start after a heavy turnover of players in the summer, and there is talk of major issues behind the scenes at the club.

Former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider last week that there are frustrations brewing among the club hierarchy, while there has also been speculation surrounding a disconnect with Emery.

However, results on the pitch can often be the perfect remedy for those issues, and the team now have a golden opportunity to get themselves up and running.

Aston Villa take on duo of goalless strugglers

Villa's season did at least improve to some extent against Forest, as they finally registered their first Premier League goal in their fourth outing.

Emery's men had struggled badly in front of goal, but finally appear to have found their feet of late, having also scored three times to win away at Club Brugge in the Champions League.

However, the same cannot be said of their next two opponents, with both Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur yet to score in the league this season.

The pair are the only remaining teams in the division who have yet to find the back of the net, and that provides Villa with a golden chance to heap further misery on them both this week.

First they travel across the Midlands to take on the Sky Blues in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, before then heading down to the capital to face Spurs on Saturday.

The fixture list has been kind to the Villans on this occasion, and it gives them the perfect chance to ease some of the doubts with a pair of wins.

However, should their struggles continue in their next two outings, it could heighten the tensions even further behind the scenes.

Aston Villa in advanced talks with Ian Maatsen

Football Insider revealed last week that Villa in advanced talks with left-back Ian Maatsen over a new contract at the club.

The Dutchman was subject to interest from Manchester United this summer, with the Villans even brushing aside a late enquiry from the Red Devils.

Maatsen picked up an injury in Saturday's defeat to Forest, but Emery and Co. view him as a crucial part of the project moving forward, and are keen to tie him down.

The 24-year-old is advancing in talks over a new deal, with all parties hoping that a positive conclusion can be reached sooner rather than later.