Gary Neville has warned Aston Villa that keeping Unai Emery must become a priority following their disastrous 4-0 defeat at Brighton. The former Manchester United defender believes Villa have had the “heart ripped out” of their squad after losing several established players during a turbulent summer.
Villa’s new Premier League campaign began in miserable fashion at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton scored four times inside the opening 31 minutes before João Gomes was sent off shortly before half-time, leaving Emery’s side facing an almost impossible task.
The 4-0 defeat at Brighton arrived after a summer in which Villa have lost Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast via Sky Sports, Neville said his biggest concern during the defeat was simple: “they’ve got to keep Unai Emery.”
Gary Neville raises Unai Emery concern at Aston Villa
Neville believes the quality and experience removed from Emery’s squad has left Villa particularly vulnerable.
Digne, Tielemans, Rogers and Konsa were all singled out when the former England defender assessed the scale of the rebuild.
Villa’s problems were evident in Sunday’s team.
Ollie Watkins was absent amid continued Al-Hilal interest, leaving Villa without a recognised senior centre-forward, while several new arrivals were either unavailable or named among the substitutes.
Emery has himself admitted that Villa “find it hard every year” while the transfer window remains open, with the manager again calling for the market to close before the Premier League season begins.
Neville’s concern goes further.
He believes Villa must ensure Emery remains convinced by the direction of the project and warned that the situation could deteriorate quickly if the squad is not strengthened.
Aston Villa urged to make three or four signings
Neville believes Villa need another three or four players before the transfer deadline.
There are already signs of movement.
Villa have reached a full agreement to sign Leon Goretzka on a free transfer, while the club approached Club Brugge for Joel Ordóñez on Sunday as Emery searches for a replacement for Konsa.
More work may still be necessary across the squad.
Neville remains a major admirer of Emery and believes the Spaniard’s reputation should help Villa convince players to join during the final days of the window.
For Villa, the message after an alarming opening afternoon is clear.
The Brighton defeat can be recovered from. Losing faith in the project built around Emery would be a considerably bigger problem.
