Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist back Unai Emery to walk after what they've seen at Aston Villa
Ally McCoist and Jeff Stelling have predicted Unai Emery could walk away from his role as Aston Villa manager.
The Villans enjoyed a fantastic 2025/26 campaign, which will long in the memory of the Villa supporters.
Not only did Villa secure a top-four Premier League finish, but they lifted the Europa League trophy after beating Freiburg in the final.
However, it has been a summer of upheaval once again for Villa, who have seen several of their top talents cherry-picked.
The mood in camp worsened on Sunday when Villa started the new Premier League campaign with a demoralising 4-0 defeat at Brighton, a game in which new signing Joao Gomes was sent off.
Stelling and McCoist were discussing Villa and Emery on talkSPORT's breakfast show and one issue makes them think the Spaniard might be reaching the end of his stay at Villa Park.
Unai Emery frustrations outlined at Aston Villa
Emery is a huge fan favourite in B6 given when he has achieved at Villa since assuming the helm in October 2022.
But the Spaniard has been helpless to see Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Ezri Konsa sold to Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal this summer.
Ollie Watkins was a noticeable absentee for the Brighton reverse amid links to mega-rich Saudi club Al-Hilal, while long-term number one Emi Martinez seemingly wants out this summer, too.
Stelling and McCoist think that seeing his best players depart the club once again this summer might make Emery question his own position at Villa.
Stelling said live on talkSPORT: "I look at Unai Emery, I don't think that anybody questions that he's a top, top manager.
"(But) he's lost so many players, he's having to deal with things like Ollie Watkins seeming to want out, Emi Martinez seeming to want out.
"And I just wonder how long it will be before Unai Emery - while his stock is high - will think 'I want out, this is not for me'."
Co-host McCoist agreed, replying: "Do you know something Jeff, I don't think the time will come where he says 'I want out' I think the time might be coming where he says ;I've got to get out'.
"I actually think there's no doubt pound-for-pound he's one of the best coaches in the league, certainly one of them in my opinion.
"But if he looks at what he's achieved there, I think it's been remarkable, and I think the Villa fans would accept that and forever be grateful for what he's achieved at that club.
"However, if you keep getting stripped of your assets and not been allowed to replace them, where does it leave you? He cannot be far short of that position now."
Could Unai Emery walk away from Aston Villa?
There's always a chance any manager could leave their club such is the brutal nature of football.
Emery has been in this position before, though, and it will not have been lost on him that players would leave this summer.
It is difficult to imagine he knew just quite how much of his squad would be asset stripped, though.
And at some point that is bound to become a frustration that reaches breaking point.
Hopefully, though, Emery can bring in some reinforcements and put together the next Villa squad capable of mixing it with the Premier League's biggest spenders.