The Athletic FC Podcast — “Inside Aston Villa’s Power Struggle”
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Ayo Akimolere
Guests: Jacob Tanswell & Dan Bardell
Episode Overview
This episode dives into Aston Villa’s alarming start to the Premier League season—18th place with only one goal after five games—unpacking what’s gone wrong on and off the pitch. Host Ayo Akimolere, joined by Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell and pod regular Dan Bardell, analyse Unai Emery’s increasingly fraught management, discuss critical squad and structure issues, and explore the behind-the-scenes power struggles destabilizing the club. The discussion is wide-ranging, frank, and anchored by deep reporting—all with The Athletic’s signature insight.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Aston Villa’s Poor Start: What’s Happening?
[01:39–02:30] State of Play
- After five league matches, Villa are 18th with three draws, two defeats, and only one goal.
- Unai Emery labelled his own players "lazy" in a post-match press conference.
- “[He] kept saying, lazy, lazy, lazy.” — Jacob Tanswell (03:08)
- Villa had an extra man for over an hour against Sunderland yet gave up more shots and xG.
Manager’s Communication & Dressing Room Mood
[02:30–03:53 and 06:03–07:55]
- Unai Emery’s comments marked a shift to open frustration; previously “polite… affable” with the media, but now prickly in interviews.
- “It’s probably the angriest I’ve seen Unai Emery.” — Jacob Tanswell (02:30)
- Emery is distant with staff—“not one you can get close to”—and club hierarchy mediates between him and wider staff.
- The squad’s spirit is low: “If I didn’t know better, I’d look at them and think that’s a team not playing for their manager.” — Dan Bardell (04:13)
- Off-pitch uncertainty (Martínez and other players angling for moves) directly impacting team psychology and performance.
Hangover from Last Season’s Highs & Squad Stagnation
[07:55–09:41]
- Villa ended the last campaign with historic highs, but a limp FA Cup semi-final and the failure to beat Manchester United on the final day left “an element of a hangover.”
- “It’s almost as if the players have just suddenly all become old and slow overnight, which isn’t the case. But that’s what it looks like.” — Dan Bardell (08:28)
- Premier League has gotten more physical, direct and fast; Villa have not caught up in terms of recruitment or identity.
Is Emery Outdated in Today’s Premier League?
[09:41–12:14]
- Emery’s “calm and controlled” approach at risk of becoming a misfit in a league shifting toward pace and strength.
- “If he loses that structure, he loses himself as a coach.” — Jacob Tanswell (10:06)
- Emery’s tactical identity is rigid; reluctance to shift away from structure-focused, counter-avoidance football even as the league evolves.
Structural Power Struggle: Monchi’s Exit
[15:49–19:41]
- Jacob reports Monchi (President of Football Ops, longtime Emery ally) is departing; Roberto Larby expected to replace him.
- Shift from Monchi’s leadership to an Emery-dominated structure (“Emery FC”)—a “power triangle” of Monchi/Vigan/Emery now fractured.
- “It’s still going to be Emery FC, basically… you’re really hedging your bets and going all-in on Emery working this season.” — Jacob Tanswell (16:52)
- Monchi’s departure coincides with persistent recruitment frustrations and squad skew issues (lack of natural wingers, aging core, players all wanting to occupy same spaces).
Squad Management and Short-termism
[19:41–21:27]
- Villa’s squad construction has been short-term: older, experienced players and minimal succession planning for key roles.
- Noted lack of young players ready to step up; the “three-year cycle” theme surrounding Emery’s previous jobs (Sevilla, Villarreal).
Summer Transfers & Player Uncertainty
[21:06–24:12]
- Transfer incomings described as reactive, late, and shaped by PSR pressures.
- Player unease: many unsure of their place, with Emmy Martinez, Ollie Watkins, and John McGinn all in transfer limbo.
- “Nothing feels certain… If you’d asked me if Emery would be here for the next few years—this time last year, absolutely.” — Dan Bardell (22:24)
- Villa’s wide player shortage: Rashford’s loan departure and failed attempts to sign him permanently due to PSR and player preference for Barcelona.
What Next? Can Emery Turn It Around?
[27:44–36:21]
- Emery needs to get more from key players, but problems are collective: “I don’t think Villa can get a better number nine than Ollie Watkins… but he looks miles off it at the moment. But he’s not alone.” — Dan Bardell (28:12)
- Watkins’ confidence and status undermined by off-field uncertainty and selection choices (Rashford picked ahead of him).
- Villa’s academy produces talent but few reach first team due to Champions League-level expectations.
- “To go from FA Youth Cup to playing in Champions League… it’s a massive step.” — Jacob Tanswell (31:22)
- New signings (Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho, Amadou Onana) still bedding in; squad remains unbalanced, with too many “number 10s,” no natural wide players.
Emery’s Future: Job Security and Personal Ambition
[33:39–36:21]
- Europa League could become central to the season: “Would you take 17th and the Europa League? …Right now, I’d be stupid not to.” — Dan Bardell (33:54)
- If results don’t improve, the risk is Emery choosing to leave, not being sacked: “He buzzes off Europe… would he accept a year without it?” — Jacob Tanswell (35:10)
- Internal structural issues—recruitment and squad evolution—present fundamental challenges for sustained progress.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Emery’s Press Conference Outburst:
“You ask about the players’ energy levels and then he just went off and just kept saying, lazy, lazy, lazy.” — Jacob Tanswell (02:30) - On Villa’s Funk:
“If I didn’t know better, I would look at them and think, oh, that’s a team that’s not playing for the manager here. But that can’t be the case because of what Unai Emery’s done since he arrived at the club.” — Dan Bardell (04:13) - On Squad Recruitment:
“The squad is lopsided, they’ve not got players in certain positions… If Emery’s the one who’s got the final say… it feels like that was all geared around the short term. Now we need something long term, and it’s almost not there.” — Dan Bardell (18:48) - On Future Uncertainty:
“Nothing feels certain. …If you’d asked me, do I think Emery will be here for the next few years? …This time last year, absolutely, 100%.” — Dan Bardell (22:24) - On the Europa League as Salvation:
“Would you take 17th and the Europa League? …Right now I’d be stupid not to snap someone’s hand off for it.” — Dan Bardell (33:54) - On Emery’s Job:
“I think the latter is more likely—(Emery) saying, I’ve had enough, I need to go somewhere else—because of the conviction in his project. …If a club came in for him… does he turn it down right now?” — Jacob Tanswell (35:10)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- State of Villa & Emery’s “Lazy” Call-Out: 01:39–03:28
- Emery’s Demeanor & Disconnect Behind the Scenes: 03:53–07:55
- Last Season Hangover / League Has Changed: 08:07–09:41
- Is Emery Outdated? Tactical Rigidity: 09:41–12:14
- The Monchi Power Struggle / Squad Building: 15:49–19:41
- Player Uncertainty / PSR’s Impact on Transfers: 21:06–24:12
- Can Emery Turn It Around? What Now?: 27:44–33:39
- Europa League or Bust / Emery’s Future: 33:39–36:21
Final Quiz Segment: Top Signings in the Emery Era
[36:21–37:47]
- A brief, lighthearted quiz where Jacob and Dan try to name Villa’s top five most expensive Emery-era buys.
- “Well done, Jacob.” (about Ian Maatsen) — IO Akimolere (37:10)
- Full list delivered: Amadou Onana, Moussa Diaby, Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres, Evan Gassand.
Summary
This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to understand Villa’s malaise in 2025. With sharp, well-attributed reporting, the panel dissects the team’s crisis—on the pitch (tactics, player confidence, transfer strategy), in the dressing room (psychology, mistrust, managerial mood) and in the boardroom (structural power struggles, short-termism). The tone is candid but not hysterical; hope glimmers faintly via new signings and the Europa League, but the mood is deeply wary. Emery’s genius is acknowledged, yet so too are his limitations; as power consolidates around him, the risk profile at Villa grows sharper.
If you want to understand not just what’s happening at Aston Villa, but why it matters—and what might come next—this episode delivers, with timestamps and standout quotes to guide you through.