Aston Villa Anxiety: Is This Just a Blip - or the Start of a Battle For Unai Emery?

Aston Villa Anxiety: Is This Just a Blip - or the Start of a Battle For Unai Emery?

Just five months ago, Aston Villa pushed the eventual European champions — arguably the best team in the world at the time — to the wire in a raucous Champions League quarter-final at Villa Park.

The Villains ended that season in the continental places, and with a strong squad, looked primed to kick on. Some even tipped them as outside contenders for the top four for the 2025/26 campaign.

Fast forward to now, and Villa sit in the relegation zone: winless, with just one goal scored, out of the Carabao Cup, and seemingly in freefall.

So what has gone wrong? And is Unai Emery still the right man to turn things around?

Matty Cash 🗣️

“Hopefully we can turn it around. We’ve got a great manager, we’ve got great players, but you’re only as good as your last game.

“We have to work hard, we have to try and turn it around.” 🟣🔵 #avfc pic.twitter.com/JXN25AmpsJ

— 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 (@Total_Villa) September 22, 2025

Early Season Woes

Villa’s summer was overshadowed by financial restrictions, limiting transfer activity. Until deadline day, Evan Guessand was their only signing of note.

But as goals dried up and results faltered, reinforcements arrived at the eleventh hour in Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho.

However, in the league they had little immediate effect, and it took 427 minutes of Premier League football before Matty Cash finally ended Villa’s drought, putting them ahead against 10-man Sunderland. Even then, Wilson Isidor’s equalizer condemned Emery’s side to yet another frustrating draw.

Four days before the 2025-26 Premier League season began, we assessed the difficulty of every team's opening five fixtures.

Aston Villa's start was deemed the easiest... pic.twitter.com/BzqfXJqLLk

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 22, 2025

The statistics made grim reading: Sunderland, despite being a man down and a newly-promoted side, created more big chances, posted a higher xG, and had more shots on target.

So far, Villa have drawn with Newcastle, Everton and Sunderland, while losing 1–0 to Brentford and suffering a 3–0 humiliation at home to Crystal Palace.

Emery remains adored in the Midlands, though opinion among fans is gradually splitting - between those calling for patience and a vocal minority suggesting his time might be up.

Unai Emery IN

100%.

He's overachieved massively and I honestly think he deserves time to get the new players clicking.

A couple of players I'd show the door to though. #avfc

— Villa Views (@VillaViews_) September 21, 2025

Emery's "Lazy" Claims Against His Players

After the Sunderland draw, Emery cut a frustrated figure.

"I am not frustrated with the result. I am frustrated and disappointed with how we played, and how we are not feeling comfortable with our style. The way we conceded, we were lazy, and maybe it's the consequences of not feeling dominant, or playing our style."

He singled out Harvey Elliott for rushing passes and struggling to adapt to his system.

Rumors of unrest in the dressing room remain unconfirmed, but Emery’s public use of the word “lazy” raised eyebrows. If unity is already fragile, such blunt criticism may not be the best way to galvanize his squad.

"We are lazy!" 💬

Unai Emery's honest assessment after Aston Villa drew 1-1 with Sunderland ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/wqL89i8I2M

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 22, 2025

Glimmers of Hope At Villa Park

A slow start is not uncommon in football. Many teams grow into the season as autumn approaches, and Villa’s upcoming fixtures - Bologna and Feyenoord in the Europa League, followed by Fulham and Burnley in the league - offer an ideal chance to restore momentum.

Perspective is crucial. Not long ago, Villa were flirting with relegation before Emery came in and revitalized them, leading the Villains to a Champions League quarter-final. His record speaks volumes: the highest points-per-game, win rate, and top-flight win rate of any manager in Villa’s history.

The Europa League may even prove a welcome distraction. Emery’s pedigree in the competition is unmatched, and another deep run - or even the trophy - would surprise no one.

Emery - Still The Man For The Job

Yes, the present situation is troubling. But with an experienced manager and a talented squad, the evidence points to turbulence rather than terminal decline. Talk of relegation, or even a bottom-half finish, feels premature.

Unai Emery holds the following records of 𝐀𝐋𝐋 managers in #AVFC's history:

— most points per game (1.77)
— highest win rate (52.78%)
— highest away game win rate (42.86%)
— highest league win rate (51.43%)
— highest top flight win rate (51.43%)
— achieved European football in… pic.twitter.com/NuWM5nPXXS

— Aston Villa Statto (@AVFCStatto) September 17, 2025