Villa players insist they’ll stick together after difficult start

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa says there is no crisis surrounding the club despite a winless start to the season and backed Unai Emery’s assessment that some players were lazy after a 1-1 draw with Sunderland. The comments come as Villa endured a turbulent 72 hours that included the club’s sporting director Monchi stepping away and speculation about Emery’s long-term future. Villa are preparing for their opening Europa League fixture against Bologna on Thursday.

Konsa said Emery was right to call out the team after the Wearside draw, but he also stressed the squad’s resolve. “I don’t think we are at the stage where we need to have meetings,” he said, adding that criticisms are part of being at a big club. “People will talk about crisis meetings but we have got a great captain in John McGinn, who really takes the lead. After the game, he said a few words to keep us going, to keep encouraging us. Look, we haven't started the season well. We know that. But I'm sure it's going to go well soon. I'm not worried. I'm sure the boys ain't worried either. We have got a great squad. I know what we are capable of. Once we get that first goal and first win, we will fly from there.”

When asked about the broader situation at the club, Konsa reflected on how far Villa have come since his arrival in 2022. “When I first joined (in 2022) to where we are now is completely different. Standards have been set and they're really high – when we are getting criticised from the outside, I think that's normal. It happens to the best of teams. It's happening to us. It's on ourselves to try and get that first win.”

Monchi’s departure prompted Villa to move quickly to appoint Roberto Olabe, a figure Emery has trusted in the past. Emery said the transition would be normal and stressed that the club was focused on restoring performances. “We decided to do a normal transition – nothing is changing in the structure,” he said. “We are trying to recover our performances and I think we are improving. It hasn't been enough because we don't have a victory but now we have a challenge to show who we are.”

There has been a cloud hanging over the club all summer, including speculation about Emery’s long-term future. Emery acknowledged the rumors but insisted the immediate task was to recapture form and results. “There is speculation but the reality is we had a draw at Sunderland after not performing well. I work hard, I have meetings, collectively and individually. We have spoken openly about what kind of team we want to be again. We are very excited again to be in Europe and this is our privilege.”

Villa’s Europa League opener against Bologna on Thursday represents a chance to reset expectations and demonstrate the improvements the Spaniard has promised, even as the club navigates leadership changes and ongoing scrutiny from outside the dressing room.