Unai Emery says it is impossible to predict Aston Villa rebuild | OneFootball

Unai Emery admits he cannot say whether Aston Villa’s major rebuild will succeed, accepting the outcome “depends” as a new-look squad takes shape.

ExpressAndStar.com reports this is Villa’s biggest summer shake-up since their first season back in the Premier League, with Emery on course to work with 10 new signings.

More than half the XI from May’s Europa League final have gone and Amadou Onana faces a long lay-off. Emery said they can only judge the project at the end of the season.

Exits of Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez have made building on last season’s high-water mark tougher. He remains focused on improvement, while quickly forging cohesion among so many arrivals.

Villa must respond to the opening-day 4-0 defeat at Brighton. Next up are Arsenal, whom Emery considers favourites to retain the Premier League and win this season’s Champions League.

Some newcomers are not fully ready to play. Nicolas Jackson is likely to start given there are no other fit strikers, while Zion Suzuki could debut in goal and Leon Goretzka is expected to feature after impressing staff with his fitness last week.

Villa Park will be three-sided with the North Stand closed for redevelopment, underlining the transition. Emery said his job is to find solutions, keep standards high and use players in their best roles, though he accepts that process needs time.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com

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