Insider: Aston Villa could be forced to sack Unai Emery after 'disaster'
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(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media/Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Tue 16 September 2025 6:45, UK
Aston Villa may have no choice but to sack Unai Emery if their poor run of form continues, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that, while Emery has credit in the bank, it will only last him so long.
Following Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Everton, they have now gone four games without a goal or a win at the start of the Premier League season.
Emery is not thought to be under any immediate pressure, but should his side go five, six, or even seven games without a goal or a win, a decision will have to be made.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 4 September that Emery is under pressure at Aston Villa as a result of their dismal start to the league season.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Brown told Football Insider in June that Emery could come under pressure at Aston Villa as a result of their difficult summer transfer window.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience working alongside elite-level managers including the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson at Man United, has insisted a decision will have to be made if things do not improve.
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“Emery has a lot of credit in the bank at Aston Villa,” he told Football Insider.
“But then the question is, how long do you give him?
They’ve gone four games without a win and without a goal, so what happens if that’s five?
Then seven?
“At some point, they’re going to have to make a decision about his future if things don’t improve.
“If you start the season and after four games you still haven’t won a game, there is always going to be pressure building on your job, whoever you are.
Credit: Getty Images
“Emery still has the support of the board at Villa because he’s been very successful there, they’ve built a good thing and he’s taken them to competing in Europe.
“But the problem is in football, that good will can only last so long until questions are being asked about why the team isn’t performing any more.
“Whether it’s his fault or if it’s to do with issues behind the scenes after what seemed like a bit of a disaster in the transfer window, he’s ultimately the one who will be blamed if they don’t start winning games.”
A turbulent summer window has now helped the manager’s cause, as he scrambles to find stable footing following a dismal start to the league season.
Tension has been growing behind the scenes at Villa Park as a result of their difficult transfer window, which saw Jacob Ramsey sold to Newcastle.
Crucial leaders in the dressing room, the likes of John McGinn and Tyrone Mings, expressed their frustration at Villa and the way issues had been handled.
Those grievances appear to have spilled over into the new season, adding to the pressure on Emery’s position as results refuse to fall in his favour.
Credit: Imago
Football Insider revealed on 9 September that Man United are keeping an eye on Emery’s situation as a result of the growing unrest at Villa Park.
While Ruben Amorim is believed to be safe in his role as things stand, Emery has been identified as one of United’s top targets should they pull the trigger.
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