Merson questions Emery's future after Villa's Brighton collapse

Villa's absolute nightmare start? Blame the boardroom. Merson, writing in his Sky Sports column, points squarely at the departures of Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, and Morgan Rogers over the summer. Ollie Watkins was MIA, buzzing about Saudi cash. Emi Martinez was a no-show in goal. Brighton, predictably, piled on four goals in the first half. A total shambles.

Merson ripped into the Tielemans deal especially. £36 million to Manchester United? A joke. He couldn't fathom why Villa slapped such a pittance of a release clause on a midfielder of that quality. Then there's Konsa, off for £55 million, a player fresh from a World Cup appearance. More bewildering business.

But Watkins? Merson called his alleged refusal to play "disgusting." If the striker truly binned the game, he owes the fans an apology. Plain and simple. Yeah, Saudi money talks. Loudly. But supporters shell out for season tickets, Merson reminded everyone. They deserve better.

Don't mistake this for a relegation shout. Merson isn't going that far. He's simply adamant: Villa will struggle for a top-half finish. Even with a manager as sharp as Emery at the helm. Will Emery stick around if this mess keeps festering? That's the bigger issue Merson keeps circling back to. Think Tottenham, he says. European trophy one season. Then a 17th-place dogfight the next. Not exactly a shining example.