Let’s start with some encouraging history: Aston Villa experienced a heavy 5-1 loss to Newcastle on the first day of the Premier League three years ago. Remarkably, they bounced back that season to secure a fourth-place finish and a coveted spot in the Champions League.
However, today’s outlook isn’t as hopeful. Manager Unai Emery hinted at some uncertainty about star forward Ollie Watkins’ commitment to playing this match, given the ongoing interest from Al-Hilal seeking his talents.
While it’s too early in the season for definitive judgments, Aston Villa faces the critical period up to the closing of the transfer window on September 1. They must match their on-field achievements with strong off-field strategies, building on nearly four successful years under Unai Emery’s leadership.
That said, the excuse of losing key players can only go so far, as demonstrated by Brighton, who have faced similar challenges.
Under the direction of Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton saw the departures of Jan Paul van Hecke and Danny Welbeck, with James Milner retiring recently. Although Carlos Baleba did not take part in the recent game, he is anticipated to join Manchester United. Additionally, Yankuba Minteh was missing, sought after by Liverpool.
Unai Emery has plenty to ponder after Aston Villa were thumped 4-0 at Brighton on Sunday
On the evidence of this fixture, Albion seem to be handling it pretty well. Georginio Rutter looks Champions League-level and Yasin Ayari and Maxim De Cuyper were not far behind.
By contrast, the signs looked worrying for Villa from the moment Unai Emery gave his pre-match interview.
Emery’s tetchy manner
When Johnny Phillips, the experienced Sky Sports reporter, asked Emery about Ollie Watkins’ absence, the Spaniard looked furious and said nothing for two seconds. He simply stared ahead before saying ‘Silence’.
We have been here with Emery before. A year ago, with Emi Martinez seeking a move, the Villa boss simply repeated the name of Martinez’s deputy ‘Marco Bizot’ when asked about the Argentine. On that occasion, Villa lost 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
As the sides walked off at half-time here, Emery seemed particularly agitated with the Brighton coaching staff. He looked a man on the edge and at full-time, he headed straight down the tunnel without approaching Hurzeler to shake hands.
Emery is rarely at his best when the transfer window is open as he becomes distracted by the uncertainty. But something has changed even in the 11 days since Villa were beaten 2-1 by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.
Before and after that game in Salzburg, Emery appeared relaxed, happy and even made the odd joke – almost unheard of for this ultra-professional, super-serious man.
There was not much to laugh about here, as Brighton roared into a 4-0 lead inside 31 minutes and Gomes saw red on his Premier League debut for a ridiculous kick at Rutter.
Villa had actually started quite well but once Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres and Marco Bizot had combined chaotically in the eighth minute to offer Maxim De Cuyper a shot at goal, it was one-way traffic.
De Cuyper’s hit the post but it rebounded in off Victor Lindelof. Ten minutes later, De Cuyper tapped in after Villa were carved open down their right. Jack Hinshelwood then scored twice in a minute, the second after a dreadful error from Gomes.
What about Watkins?
The interest from Al-Hilal in Watkins seems to have flicked a switch in Emery. He knew Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for £117m, would almost certainly leave this summer along with Lucas Digne, now with PSG.
The Youri Tielemans move to Manchester United was a surprise but Emery has had time to make peace with it. So too the Konsa transfer to Arsenal, which had been on the cards for some weeks. After all, Emery knew Villa would need to sell this summer to avoid a rap from UEFA.
Yet with Watkins, it feels different. It did not help that neither of Villa’s other forwards, Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo, was available due to injury. Daily Mail Sport understands that Watkins has not trained this week, though it is believed he is neither ill nor injured. His representatives have been contacted for comment.
So where do we stand with Watkins? For all they insist a deal is some way off, Villa will sell Watkins if they can secure a replacement of similar level and Al-Hilal are reasonably confident of landing their man. Emery likes Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea and discreet talks have been held, but that deal is complicated.
If two clubs trade players in a period of fewer than 45 days, UEFA regard it as a ‘swap’. Rogers signed for Chelsea 41 days before September 1. If UEFA rule it a swap, neither club could write down the full profit on their accounts. That would make it more difficult for them to meet UEFA spending rules next season.
Perhaps the clubs believe they can argue their way through but it would not be easy. Just like the next few weeks for Villa, then.
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Ollie Watkins looks set to leave Villa before the transfer window to join Saudi side Al-Hilal
Lack of leadership and power
When Gomes was booked early on and committed a couple more foolish fouls, Emery signalled to the Brazilian to calm down. His team-mates should have been doing this, too. Martinez is not everyone’s cup of tea but he would undoubtedly have had a word. So too Konsa, who was promoted to vice-captain last season.
Moments before Gomes’ wild hack at Rutter, he had been punching the turf furiously after giving the ball away for Brighton’s fourth. He was clearly ticking and perhaps Emery could have taken him off there and then. Failing that, it needed an experienced pro like skipper McGinn, Matty Cash or Lindelof to bring down Gomes’ temperature. It never happened.
Gomes was not the only problem. Ian Maatsen is a fine attacking full-back but defensively, he can be weak. Brighton spotted this and quickly sent long diagonal balls to Diego Gomez, who won nearly all of them and outjumped Maatsen to set up the third for Hinshelwood.
Without Konsa, there is an alarming lack of pace in central defence and it must be addressed this week. Rutter made mincemeat of Lindelof and Pau Torres here.
Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis is one target, Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge another. Will either be good enough to replace Konsa straight away? It seems unlikely.
If they can do the deal, former Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka looks a smart free transfer. Either way, these are key times for transfer chief Roberto Olabe.
Joao Gomes’ red card on the south coast summarised an utterly miserable afternoon for Villa
Pressure on Olabe
This is Olabe’s second transfer window but he has been front and centre of negotiations this time, much more than he was last January.
Even with his depleted side taking a hammering, Emery did not make a substitution until the 75th minute, which looked a classic message to those who control the finances.
They need back-up for Matty Cash at right back, more options in midfield, at least one more wide man and a striker. Oh, and they need to resolve the future of Martinez, who is keen to move but nobody has yet hit Villa’s valuation. Next up on the pitch? Arsenal at home on August 31.