What is the malaise down to?

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Samuel: What an absolutely bizarre and terrible change of fortunes for Aston Villa. First, what do you put Villa's malaise down to? And secondly, do you think that we have the players to get out of it?

Phil: Few things at work here, in my opinion. Villa perhaps have the same problem Newcastle United had last season, in that a Champions League campaign exerts extra physical and mental stresses on their squad, which has led to a drop in form.

Also, Villa were so good and so consistent last season that a dip was inevitable - but remember they are still only four points off the top four despite this run of eight games without a win.

Unai Emery may also have a point when he says Villa are no longer a surprise package any more - teams are ready for them.

But I certainly think they have the manager in Emery to get them out of the current malaise.