Unai Emery could become third-straight Aston Villa boss to take issue with official vs Fulham
Aston Villa kick off their Europa League campaign when they meet Bologna at Villa Park on Thursday night.
Unai Emery is expected to change his Villa side in the clash with their Italian outfit, after a lacklustre start to the season from several players.
Monchi left Villa Park after the club's poor transfer window, and Aston Villa are already planning for the January transfer window.
Looking ahead to Villa's Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday, Villa fans will have their heads in their hands after finding out the one person in particular who will officiate the game.
Aston Villa haven't had the best luck with Andy Madley in the past
Emery is in trouble at Villa and needs all the luck he can get.
Unfortunately for him, Andy Madley has been revealed as the referee for Villa's clash with Fulham - someone who Villa fans know quite well.
Former Villa boss Steven Gerrard was in charge of the club when they lost to Crystal Palace 3-1 in 2022. Gerrard's team were one-up before a Madley decision he described as "harsh" then let the game run away from them.
“He’s not trying to gain an advantage or stop the header on goal. It’s a complete accident.
“The referee goes to the monitor, gives a pen against us, our reaction from that moment wasn’t good enough and then obviously we concede a poor third goal and the game runs away from you,” as reported by The Independent.
- Aston Villa haven't won a game in seven competitive games under Emery
- His side has only scored two goals in the six games so far this season
- Key players Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins have had a terrible start to the season
Former Villa boss Dean Smith was charged by the FA for using 'abusive or insulting' language that was aimed at referee Madley in his team's away loss to Manchester City in 2021.
The last thing Emery and his Aston Villa side need is poor officiating on Saturday, and with Madley in charge of the game, things aren't looking promising.
A loss to Fulham could spell the end for Unai Emery's time at Villa
Emery has seen many successful nights at Villa Park, with thrilling Champions League victories, including a win over Bayern Munich.
He's aided in the development of players like Morgan Rogers, who has now received multiple England call-ups whilst under Emery's management.
New signing Harvey Elliot could make the starting line-up against Bologna on Thursday night as Emery will look to instill some direct threat into his side's attack.
Ian Maatsen could also start to provide some pace down the flanks for Villa, something that they've sorely missed.
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