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.
Sam: I was concerned before the season started. Gaps across the pitch, especially in wide areas, but wow! The intensity in the press led to two great goals. Great performance and work done in the first half - then after, all about game management. Brilliant start to the season and a great atmosphere at the Amex. Roll on Thursday and Chelsea away.
Gordon: Villa have been our nemesis for a while so it's good to beat them.
David: A brilliant, aggressive, front-footed first half where the half-time score in no way flattered them. Every player seemed to want to go forward, which has never been the Brighton way. But what a difference in the second half, especially after the substitutions. Back to sideways and backwards passing - the fast, forward passing of the first half was forgotten. So let's be grateful for four goals, a clean sheet and top of the table.
Barry: What a fantastic performance from Brighton! A brilliant 4–0 victory over Aston Villa, with every player contributing. The team looked sharp, confident and dangerous throughout, and Danny Welbeck's absence was barely felt. A superb all-round display and a thoroughly deserved win.
Villa fans
Ian: Villa were really poor and embarrassing! They deserved everything they got from Brighton. Villa players giving the ball away in dangerous areas and no idea of any movement off the ball. Obviously there is a lot of uncertainty with things happening in the transfer window, but things need tightening up. I trust Unai Emery to sort it, especially when injured players are available again.
Dan: Such a worry to start the season like this. The team selected looked so short of quality - then then combine that with the very poor performance, gifting Brighton a number of goals, and it does not look good. Hope we have some signings coming, a few players to regain fitness and Emery can get them being consistent! Doesn't help to have the circus around Ollie Watkins!
Andy: One result should not define a season and clearly there's a rebuilding job to do at Villa. Let's not panic as there have been huge changes in players and the new players will take time to gel. Joao Gomes is quality and will only learn from Sunday, plus will be amazing for us! Keep the faith…
Rod: No striker, no midfield, no first-choice keeper. With the core missing, we did well to lose 4-0. Keep the faith - but I have a gut feeling Unai will depart soon.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says forward Ollie Watkins' absence in the 4-0 thrashing at Brighton is a "question for him".
The 30-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for Villa's Premier League opener after Emery confirmed earlier in the week there had been offers from Saudi club Al-Hilal for the striker.
Asked if it was his decision to leave Watkins out, Emery told Match of the Day: "This question is for him. You can call him and try to get his answer.
"The players here wanted to play and we had two strikers with a small injury. The question on Watkins is for him."
Watkins could become the latest of Villa's European heroes to exit this summer.
Villa ended a 30-year wait for a trophy by lifting the Europa League in May against Freiburg.
But the club could have sold six of the starting XI by the end of the transfer window.
"We are building the team. Last year and two years ago we were building the team in August," said Emery after the defeat at Brighton.
Villa 'completely capitulated' at Brighton - Murphypublished at 11:24 BST
11:24 BST
Media caption,
Match of the Day's Danny Murphy says Aston Villa "completely capitulated" after conceding the first goal to Brighton on Sunday.
The former Premier League midfielder credited the Seagulls for their dominating display, but said Unai Emery's side were too negative and invited the pressure on themselves.
"There was so much to like about Brighton, but Villa didn't half give them a helping hand," Murphy said. "It was woeful after the first goal.
"They completely capitulated.
"It's a day they're going to have to forget quickly and put to bed."
Why are Aston Villa a selling club?published at 10:14 BST
10:14 BST
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Like many, Aston Villa are a selling club, mainly down to necessity, and have been for a number of years.
They must comply with Uefa's squad cost ratio (SCR) which restricts them to spending 70% of their football related revenue on player and staff wages, transfer fees and agent fees.
They have already been fined twice by Uefa for breaches, being hit with a £9.5m sanction last year and a £19.4m fine in June, although £12.9m was suspended after Villa came to a settlement agreement with Europe's governing body. But it has meant the club's hands are tied in the transfer window.
The Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) also limited financial losses to a maximum of £105m over a rolling three-year period.
In their latest accounts, ending 30 June 2025, Villa had a post-tax profit of £17m but their two previous years showed losses of £119.6m (2023) and £85.4m (2024).
The regulations have now been replaced by SCR, meaning the Premier League falls in line with Uefa's model.
"It's necessity because of the rules," one former Villa executive told BBC Sport, when asked about the sales. "The PSR, the SCR, issues are well documented.
"It does seem slightly unfair they're having their ambition capped at this level. But it has forced this very big churn of players, which is unfortunate.
"Some will be forced due to PSR, some will be player demand. Combined it makes a big problem for Emery and certainly it is a lot to swallow in one go and to try and replace."
This summer has crystalised their situation because of the high-profile nature of the departures.
Villa had raised just over £200m with the sales of Jhon Duran (£71m), Douglas Luiz (£42.5m), Jacob Ramsey (£40m) and Moussa Diaby (£50m) over the past two years.
With the Ezri Konsa deal done, they have banked around £212m during this window, including £9m for Lewis Dobbin who never played a senior game for Villa before leaving for Southampton.
The academy has also paid its way comfortably with Jaden Philogene and Cameron Archer being bought back to be sold again, while Burnley spent £12m on Aaron Ramsey in 2023.
Internally, when Villa first returned to the Champions League in 2024, it was recognised it would be harder for academy prospects to break into the squad which left Villa more open to selling them.
Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa : What Emery and McGinn saidpublished at 17:37 BST 23 August
17:37 BST 23 August
Media caption,
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to Match of the Day: "We started good in the first 10-15 minutes. When we made the first mistake, they scored and then we lost our balance emotionally and we conceded three more goals. It was a tough moment and with the red card was more difficult. The only good news for me was how the players responded in the second half."
On Joao Gomes' red card: "Maybe the first yellow card was not fair, but OK. We must accept."
On if it was his decision for Ollie Watkins not to play: "This question is for him. You can call him and try to get his answer. The players here wanted to play and we had two strikers with a small injury. The question on Watkins is for him."
Aston Villa's John McGinn speaking to Sky Sports: "We actually started the game very well, we had a chance to go ahead but playing at the highest level you make a mistake, and the goals we conceded were poor. We apologise to the supporters, it costs a lot of time and money to travel away. 4-0 down with ten men at the Amex, we had a chance to puff our chests out in the second half but there's a bit of me that's proud of how we reacted, the first ten minutes doesn't mean anything when you give goals away."
On Joao Gomes red card: "We never punish people for getting sent off, he's a player that plays on the edge, my first reflection is that he was moving around in a natural action and if he moved his foot, it's something he has to learn from. Our job as teammates is to protect him and make sure the same situation doesn't happen again."
On team transition: "A lot of teams in the league, those that were here we feel like we're in strange positions but if you give goals away like that against any team you'll be punished."
Ollie Watkins: "It's a difficult one. He's been amazing player and a record goal scorer my job as captain is to get the best out of all the players that are here today. It's not easy coming here. I'm proud of the players that were here today and fought for the club."
Aston Villa became only the second team in Premier League history to concede four goals, receive a red card and score an own goal in the first half of a match, after Southampton against Manchester United in February 2021.
Analysis: Emery's side blown awaypublished at 16:13 BST 23 August
16:13 BST 23 August
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
"Silence," said Emery when asked pre-match about Ollie Watkins' absence from the Villa squad.
But the noise surrounding the club is only bound to grow louder after their horror show in Brighton.
Watkins looks likely to be the latest to leave Villa this summer with the England striker linked with a move to Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez's future also remain uncertain following a failed move to Juventus and the arrival of Japan's Zion Suzuki.
It lays bare the task Emery has to replicate last season's success, having also lost Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa this summer - all core members of the group.
Even then, the manner of the defeat in the league opener hints Emery's problems this season could run far deeper.
Gomes recovered from an injury in time to start the opener but the midfielder, signed from Wolves for £38m, put in a display that could contend for one of the worst debuts.
The Brazilian was cautioned for waving an imaginary card at the referee, gave away the ball in the box for Brighton's fourth goal and was then sent off for kicking out at Rutter.
After securing fourth place in the Premier League and then winning the Europa League last season, Villa were always going to face a challenge to match those heights.
But this opening display will raise questions whether Emery's side could be heading in the opposite direction.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Aston Villa" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Newcastle match", for example.
Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Aston Villapublished at 11:05 BST 23 August
11:05 BST 23 August
The Champions League is going to stretch Aston Villa and I don't see them making it back into the top four this season.
They have lost Morgan Rogers as well as Youri Tielemans and, while Johan Manzambi is a young man with a lot of talent, it is a big ask for him to hit the ground running and replace Rogers straight away.
Also, I'm not sure if anyone can get a tune out of Alejandro Garnacho but I suppose if anyone can it is Unai Emery.
Their goalkeeper situation is interesting too, with Japan's Zion Suzuki arriving. He will come in revved up, while Emiliano Martinez looked like he was on his bike until his move to Juventus fell through.
As I had to remind Mark Chapman on Monday Night Club, you can't play with two goalkeepers - they changed many laws of the game over the summer, but not that one - so we will have to see who gets the nod on Saturday.
As for Brighton, they have also lost a couple of key players, such as Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke, who were the spine of their team. But I am expecting a big season from Jack Hinshelwood, who was phenomenal for them last season.
Villa started really slowly last season and it took them six league games to get a win. This will be close, but I think they will get off to a flier this time.
Brighton v Aston Villa: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:27 BST 22 August
13:27 BST 22 August
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
After superb seasons in 2025-26, Brighton and Aston Villa begin what promise to be intriguing campaigns for both at Amex Stadium on Sunday (14:00 BST).
The Seagulls finished last term strongly, snatching a place in the Conference League as a result. While there is excitement about another continental adventure, it has been a busy summer of transfer activity for head coach Fabian Hurzeler to contend with.
The same can be said for Aston Villa, who will play Champions League football this term after their top-five finish and Europa League triumph. Head coach Unai Emery has lost a host of experienced players though, and replacing them will be a major test of his coaching acumen and the club's recruitment strategy.
Brighton rebuild at the back
For Brighton, the big challenge this season will be retaining their edge in both penalty boxes.
Danny Welbeck, who joined Chelsea for £5m this summer, will be a big loss from an attacking perspective. No Seagulls player has scored more in a Premier League campaign than the 13 goals he netted in 2025-26.
There has been a significant restructure in defence, though. After losing Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham, Brighton have splashed the cash on Luka Vuskovic from Spurs and Pascal Struijk from Leeds United, and also added Costinha and Michael Svoboda as defensive cover.
Van Hecke was crucial to the way in which the team played and replacing his work in possession could prove trickier than replicating his defensive influence.
Brighton tend to start seasons well, though, winning four and drawing one of their last five Premier League openers. By contrast, Villa have won just two of their last seven since returning to the top flight after being promoted from the Championship in 2020.
Changing of the guard at Villa?
Villa's summer transfer activity will not make it any easier to get off to a fast start, albeit there will be excitement about the business done.
In Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa, Emery has lost some core members behind the team's success in recent seasons. Meanwhile Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins have also been linked with moves away.
Players like Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes should go some way to plugging the gaps left by those who have moved on. But there is no doubt that Villa have a leadership and experience void to plug.
There will also be hope that some youngsters can help ease the transition. In the Super Cup, 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo caught the eye with a goal against Paris St-Germain – he became the youngest player to score for Aston Villa since Louie Barry netted against Liverpool in the FA Cup in January 2021 – while George Hemmings is also expected to play a more significant role in the coming weeks.
With plenty of transfer business still likely to be done at Villa Park and Emery's penchant for giving new arrivals time to bed in, both could be thrust into the Premier League action at the Amex.
Villa lose another key playerpublished at 19:08 BST 21 August
19:08 BST 21 August
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Ezri Konsa's departure to Arsenal is the latest high-profile exit at Villa Park this summer as Unai Emery's squad undergoes drastic change.
Like many, Villa are a selling club, mainly due to necessity, and have been for a number of years.
They must comply with Uefa's squad cost ratio (SCR) which restricts them to spending 70% of their football-related revenue on player and staff wages, transfer fees and agent fees.
They have already been fined twice by Uefa for breaches, being hit with a £9.5m sanction last year and a £19.4m fine in June, although £12.9m was suspended after Villa came to a settlement agreement with European football's governing body. But it has meant the club's hands are tied in the transfer window.
The Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) also limit financial losses to a maximum of £105m over a rolling three-year period.
In their latest accounts, ending 30 June 2025, Villa had a post-tax profit of £17m, but their two previous years showed losses of £119.6m (2023) and £85.4m (2024).
The regulations have now been replaced by SCR, which has put the Premier League in line with Uefa's model.
Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers - goalscorers in the club's Europa League triumph in Istanbul - left last month, with Rogers' £117m move to Chelsea a record fee for an English player.
Left-back Lucas Digne was also sold to Paris St-Germain and Villa must also find a solution for goalkeeper Emi Martinez after his failed move to Juventus and the signing of his replacement - Japan's Zion Suzuki.
Al-Hilal may also test Villa's resolve again before the 1 September transfer deadline for Ollie Watkins, with the Premier League club reportedly tabling a new contract to try to keep the striker.
That would leave Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, John McGinn and Emi Buendia as those who remain from the 11 that started in their Istanbul triumph.
Watkins departure would be an emotional blowpublished at 17:54 BST 21 August
17:54 BST 21 August
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Unai Emery admitting Ollie Watkins could leave Aston Villa before the end of the transfer window adds further uncertainty to the club's summer of upheaval.
Al-Hilal want the England striker, who turns 31 in December, and have had bids rejected.
Ezri Konsa's £51m move to Arsenal has been rubber stamped, while Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have already left.
Emi Martinez is eager to leave after seeing his move to Juventus collapse, and Villa have already signed his replacement in Zion Suzuki.
It leaves the pressure on Emery to continue finding answers amid the changes.
Watkins leaving, though, would represent a massive emotional departure from Villa with the striker playing a huge role in their rise after joining from Brentford in 2020.
Along with captain John McGinn and Konsa, Watkins - who has become an England international at Villa - has epitomised Villa's rise in the past few years, especially under Emery.
Harwood-Bellis interest 'completely normal' - Eckertpublished at 17:08 BST 21 August
17:08 BST 21 August
Image source, Getty Images
Tonda Eckert says Aston Villa target Taylor Harwood-Bellis is one of the best defenders in the country and is dealing with transfer speculation professionally.
The 24-year-old joined Saints from Manchester City in 2023, initially on loan with a clause to make the move permanent, and won an England cap in the Nations League game against the Republic of Ireland in 2024.
Speaking before Saturday's Championship visit of Stoke, Saints head coach Eckert told BBC Radio Solent: "We know how important Taylor is for us. I think he's been the best centre-back in the Championship last season.
"It's completely normal that if you are among the best centre-backs in the country there is interest, and there has been.
"He's always dealt with it in a great way, very professional, but he's a Southampton player.
"In the end my job is to train the players. There are some decisions for the board and owners to take."
Eckert said he was happy to start Harwood-Bellis on Saturday, given his focused performance amid speculation towards the end of the January transfer window.
He said: "On 31 January, before we went to Stoke, there was heavy interest for him and he played one of the best games for us."
Emery on season 'dreams', Watkins' future and need to 'build the team again'published at 15:52 BST 21 August
15:52 BST 21 August
Huzaifah Khan BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brighton at Amex Stadium (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Emery said he could not confirm who would be available as his side are preparing to train on Saturday and he will make his decision then.
On his ambitions for the season: "I have a lot of dreams. [There's] still a lot of work to do, so how we are progressing and how we are getting some challenges in different ways is really fantastic. To start the season... is something that makes us happy to be here and to have our challenge of competing in the Premier League."
When asked about key players leaving the club, including Ezri Konsa, who is joining Arsenal, Emery sai: "I am delighted with everything we did together. Some players are leaving. Konsa is close to leaving and I am happy for him and the other players. When we arrived here they were performing up and down, not a lot in the high level, and they deserve it because they are players who had a huge commitment."
He added: "Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, I am so grateful and I learned a lot with those players - how we were setting our standards, how they pushed other team-mates. When we are successful the consequences can happen. They're leaving because they think they must get another chance in their career."
On Ollie Watkins' future at the club amid interest from Saudi Arabia, Emery confirmed there have been offers for the striker, but he does not want to sell him. He added: "Now he is our player. There are 10 days, more or less, to finish the transfer window. We will see what happens. I'm happy with him - if he is staying with us, he will continue playing his level."
Asked about the future of Emiliano Martinez after Villa confirmed the signing of Zion Suzuki from Parma, Emery said he has "two excellent goalkeepers", which is not a bad issue to have, even if Martinez has communicated to the club he would like a new challenge.
The Spanish boss was optimistic about his squad's refresh: "Now we have new players and we are going to try to do the same way with them like we did with other players. Now it's Joao Gomes, now it's [Johan] Manzambi, now it's [Matteo] Ruggeri. We are going to replace - of course, this is the idea. We want a centre-back for Konsa but [Modou Keba] Cisse is a young player who is a potential player. And this is the way we are trying to work again. Of course, we must build a team again."
On facing Brighton: "Brighton is a team that have been so, so consistent. They are playing as well in Europe and it's a good achievement for them last year. The coach is a young coach but he has experience in Germany, and now here in England. We have four years playing against Brighton and, in my experience, it's difficult always. A first match away and we must be ready for everything."
'Emery's aim is motivating' - Wan-Bissaka ready for 'challenge'published at 12:59 BST 21 August
12:59 BST 21 August
Image source, Getty Images
"The ambition attracted me," Aston Villa's sixth summer signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka said after completing a season-long loan move with a conditional obligation to buy.
Wan-Bissaka made 25 appearances and provided three assists last season, as Nuno Espirito Santo's side ended a 14-year stint in the Premier League with relegation.
The right-back also started all four of DR Congo's matches at the 2026 World Cup this summer, helping his country progress to the round of 32.
"I'm excited and I'm happy to be part of this great club," Wan-Bissaka told VillaTV, external. "The ambition and obviously the opportunity to play at this level attracted me.
"You know the direction the club is going in. Unai Emery's aim for the season - and what he has done over the past few years for the club - is motivating.
"Every game will be a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it. My aim is just to have a successful season and also add trophies to that as well.
"To the fans, please just support us as usual and we will give it our all."
Image source, Getty Images
