Aston Villa host Tottenham Hotspur this weekend in a fixture that pits two of the Premier League's most out-of-sorts sides against each other, with both clubs desperate to shake off underwhelming starts to the season before a lengthy international break sets in.
Unai Emery's Villa have collected just a single point from their opening four league fixtures, a stark contrast to the progress he has overseen since arriving at the club, guiding them to European qualification in every season of his tenure and securing Champions League football this year after Europa League success. This campaign, however, brings a fresh challenge: blending ten new arrivals into the squad following a summer outlay exceeding £250m, while also managing a wave of departures.
Emery admitted he was uncertain about the exact reasons behind his side's capitulation in last Saturday's 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest, acknowledging that his influence from the sideline was limited given how many new faces are still adjusting to his system. Despite the visible intensity he shows during matches, Emery is known for regaining his composure quickly once inside the dressing room, where he addresses his players calmly.
The Spanish coach remains optimistic that improvement is on the horizon, leaning on senior figures John McGinn and Tyrone Mings to help steady the squad through this turbulent period. Both were selected for Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory over Coventry rather than being given a rest, underlining their importance to the group. McGinn has previously spoken about the amount of