Since Aston Villa have not participated in the Champions League, it is clear that this season will be very difficult. But few people expected things to be so bad.
Aston Villa are currently in the bottom 3 teams, having only scored 1 goal in the opening 5 Premier League matches. Coach Unai Emery has now lost an important ally - the CEO of Monchi football.
Villa have made impressive strides since Emery took charge nearly 3 years ago. He guided the team to a safe stay in the league for the first season, bringing them back to the European arena and then the Champions League. Few coaches have been able to make a strong impact like Emery in three years to revive a club of Aston Villa.
However, Villa still have to overcome major obstacles, and Monchi's departure is the latest blow to Emery. The Spanish captain has always been steadfast, but even his patience is being tested.
This team was forced to sell the stars to balance the books. And it is unclear why a club of Aston Villa's scale has to part ways with top players just to ensure a budget.
The Premier League's profit and sustainability regulations may not be issued to control clubs like Aston Villa. It can be argued that they were born to prevent the former Portsmouth financial disasters, or to prevent the "super-rich" from taking over football.
Of course, Villa have spent big to bring the club back to its heyday. They also invited Monchi to participate thanks to their good relationship with Emery and his reputation as a talented and sharp transfer negotiator.
Monchi has had uneven successes, but is an important ally of Emery. And his departure is clearly a concern for Villa. Even looking at Emery's recent achievements, such as at Villarreal, things are over when the club cannot meet his ambitions.
Aston Villa have played excellently under Emery, and he has also maximized his ability at Villa Park. It was a great story, with memorable European nights at Villa Park.
However, is it fair that spending regulations make Villa fans dare not dream? The same is true for Newcastle. This is absolutely not a simple problem, and there is no easy solution.
However, one result - specifically Villa's controversial loss to Manchester United on the last day of last season, thereby helping Newcastle win a ticket to the Champions League - should not shape the future of an entire club.
Ezri Konsa has said that profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) have "destroyed" the club in the transfer window. And the reality is like that. Villa was forced to listen to all offers, negotiate, bring home loan contracts, while having to say goodbye to players like Jacob Ramsey.
In January last year, Aston Villa were forced to sell one of their two strikers - Ollie Watkins or Jhon Duran - to meet spending regulations. They are still in the Champions League, having just lost to champions Paris Saint-Germain and becoming a phenomenon.
Emery - a coach - now has to also be an accountant. This is clearly not good. Emery is the best thing that has happened to Villa in many years. And it is easy to recognize the disappointment and anger that are evident on his face.
This is a serious concern. It seems that Emery and Villa are paying the price for their ambition and success.
