How Aston Villa players internally feel about Unai Emery after ‘lazy’ comments
Aston Villa have faced a poor start to the season, and tensions are rising at Villa Park ahead of their Europa League meeting with Bologna.
There has been a week of turmoil at Aston Villa, due to poor results and changes off the field too, with Football Insider now exclusively revealing that former sporting director Monchi is close to joining Benfica.
Emery has reportedly suffered dressing room discontent at Aston Villa after their poor run of form to start the season.
Aston Villa’s draw against Sunderland further rang alarm bells as the Midlands club scored their first goal of the season, but failed to win again.
Unai Emery has the backing of the Aston Villa dressing room
Three draws have seen Aston Villa fall to 18th in the Premier League table, a world away from where they expected to be.
Ahead of Aston Villa kicking off their Europa League campaign on Thursday against Bologna, The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell has revealed Emery has the backing of his squad.
Tanswell, an Aston Villa insider, said: “Several sources close to the dressing room understandably insist players are behind the manager, but are suffering a crisis of confidence, especially in attack.
“Previously, internal frustrations were more centred on the lack of recruitment and its impact over the summer.”
Aston Villa not out of the race for Europe yet, but crunch time is getting closer
Aston Villa, who qualified for the Champions League in 2023-24, fell to the Europa League in 2024-25 and now look set to miss out on Europe altogether this season.
The Villans will aim to improve their poor start to the season with a tough game against Fulham on Sunday, and they can’t afford to drop many more early-season points.
| Aston Villa’s start to the season | |
| Aston Villa vs Newcastle United | 0-0 |
| Brentford vs Aston Villa | 1-0 |
| Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace | 0-3 |
| Everton vs Aston Villa | 0-0 |
| Sunderland vs Aston Villa | 1-1 |
More concerning than the lack of wins is Aston Villa’s lack of goals in the early stages of the Premier League season, scoring just once in five games.
Villa sit six points adrift of Crystal Palace in fifth after five matchdays, and with fixture congestion building and goals still not forthcoming, it’s difficult to see a way back for Emery’s men at present.