Stan Collymore has pulled no punches as he has his say on Aston Villa’s struggles
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on the touchline during the Carabao Cup third round match
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on the touchline during the Carabao Cup third round match
Stan Collymore has had his say on Aston Villa’s struggles.
Villa are still winless in the new season after exiting the Carabao Cup on penalties to Brentford on Tuesday night, after a 1-1 draw.
They are also languishing in 19th place in the Premier League with just two points from their opening four matches.
Former Villa striker Collymore has aired his view on the situation on social media, pointing to what he believes is “average” recruitment in the transfer market and also saying he expects Unai Emery to be “touted with a move away” if the club’s fortunes don’t improve.
Posting on X, Collymore said: “The reality is that Unai got mostly Dean Smith's signings to exceptional consistent highs, a raft of sales brought in good cash but I'd challenge any Villa fan on any assertion that more than 3 or 4 Unai signings have been a resounding success out of 23 incoming in his tenure.
“I use Malen and Maatsen as examples. £60m for the pair and on very good wages. Neither have been that A1 player needed in their position, even more so when you let other players go to accommodate them.
“The first XI can still compete, I'm sure of that but when you see the likes of Ramsey go, the Emi situation and don't replace with quality or add 3 or 4 every window to push on then you stand still or go backwards.
“We now have a problem with UEFA compliance and if we're not careful players will start to look elsewhere as they sniff all is not well.
“The much vaunted recruitment team haven't proven they're a match for Bournemouth or Brighton, that's the truth, and if results don't improve I'd expect Unai to be touted with a move away too.
“The squad needs quality and fresh injection of quality which can't happen until Villa's financial compliance allows a window or 3 to operate properly in. That may not happen for 3 or 4 more windows.
“Easy to blame PSR but overspending on wages and fees along with ( in my opinion), average recruitment ( it's the Smith players who've excelled) that's created this.
“We'll see how good Unai is at motivating now.”
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