Are Villa 'falling apart?'

BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering some of your questions following the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

Ian from Worcester asked: I fear for Villa. In the season when they could have a real go in the Champions League, they have sold all their best players. Ezri Konsa, brilliant for them and England, was the final straw. The club is falling apart. Unai Emery to leave next, disgruntled and disillusioned?

Phil replied: Hello, Ian. Not sure Aston Villa are falling apart. There is no doubt they have lost big players in Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa, while Unai Emery is clearly very unhappy with how Ollie Watkins has acted amid talk of a move to Saudi Arabia.

Villa, however, have always tried to back Emery where they can and he has huge power at the club, which his results justify. He also had a poor start last season, remember. He will expect big support between now and the end of the transfer window, and I expect him to get it as Villa know he is the brilliant strategist behind their successes.