Aston Villa upheaval is a risk but Emery can release v2.0 and reap rewards | Jonathan Wilson

<p>After exodus of key players, youthful arrivals over the summer amount to a fresh beginning with plenty to get excited about</p><p>Last season was the greatest Aston Villa have enjoyed since they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2016/may/26/aston-villa-european-cup-relegated-1982">won the European Cup</a> in 1982. They claimed their second European trophy by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/aston-villa-europa-league-win-unai-emery-freiburg">lifting the Europa League</a>, but even without that would have secured Champions League qualification by finishing fourth in the Premier League.</p><p>Despite a miserable start during which they failed to win any of their first five league games, there was even a spell around Christmas when it looked as though Villa might be challengers for the title. The question after a season like that is always: where next?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/23/aston-villa-upheaval-unai-emery-exodus-key-players-youthful-arrivals">Continue reading...</a>