The Aston Villa opening fixtures will quickly reveal whether Unai Emery’s summer rebuild has adequately replaced the quality lost through several major departures.
Villa begin away at Brighton on Sunday 23 August before hosting Premier League champions Arsenal at Villa Park on Monday 31 August.
Trips to promoted Hull City and Tottenham follow either side of a home meeting with Nottingham Forest. Emery therefore has little time to integrate a reshaped squad before facing several demanding opponents.
Aston Villa opening fixtures offer no easing-in period
Brighton away represents a difficult first assignment, particularly with the match moved to Sunday because of their European commitments.
Arsenal then provide an immediate examination of Villa’s ability to compete with the strongest sides in the division. The match will also be the first opportunity for supporters to assess Emery’s rebuilt team at Villa Park.
Hull and Nottingham Forest may appear more favourable on paper. However, promoted sides often carry momentum into the opening weeks, while Forest have already caused Villa problems in recent seasons.
The first five fixtures conclude away at Tottenham. Villa could therefore reach the opening international break with a clear indication of whether their transfer work has been successful.
The revised dates and broadcast arrangements are included in the Premier League’s August and September fixture amendments.
Major departures have removed proven Villa quality
Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Donyell Malen have all completed permanent moves this summer.
Rogers’ £117million departure to Chelsea removed Villa’s most productive ball carrier and one of Emery’s main creative threats. Tielemans offered control, passing quality and leadership in midfield, while Malen provided goals and flexibility across the forward line.
Villa have responded by signing Johan Manzambi and João Gomes permanently, while Alejandro Garnacho has arrived on loan from Chelsea.
However, the new arrivals must adapt quickly. Manzambi and Gomes face the difficult task of rebuilding Villa’s midfield structure, while Garnacho will carry immediate pressure to replace some of Rogers’ creativity and direct running.
The latest Aston Villa transfer roundup also highlighted the need for another right-sided attacker before the window closes.
Leon Bailey’s expected departure would create another attacking vacancy. Hull City are progressing negotiations for the Jamaica international, although the final structure has not been confirmed.
As covered in ReadAstonVilla’s latest Bailey update, his exit would leave Emery short of a natural senior option on the right.
Emery needs his rebuild to deliver immediately
Villa’s opening schedule increases the importance of completing their remaining business before the Premier League campaign begins.
There will be limited patience for new players to settle gradually. Brighton and Arsenal will examine Villa’s midfield balance, while the following three matches will carry pressure to collect points before the Champions League schedule begins.
Emery has rebuilt successful teams before, but Rogers and Tielemans were central to Villa’s progress. Replacing their individual qualities across several signings represents one of the most difficult challenges of his Villa tenure.
The official Aston Villa fixture list provides opportunities for a positive start. The transfer losses have also removed much of the margin for error.
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