Premier League

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

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Wolves hit a grim milestone on Saturday. A 1-0 loss at Newcastle made it four defeats from four, a first in 127 years of league football for the club.

Lose to Leeds at Molineux on Saturday and they will join an unwanted list as only the sixth Premier League side to start a campaign with five straight losses.

Vitor Pereira's message is clear - he has not had time with his full squad. This week is his first real chance to drill tactics with everyone present.

On the pitch, it feels like last season. Individual errors. Sloppy passing. Poor choices in big moments. Too many soft goals.

Context matters, though.

Gary O'Neil had a more settled, experienced group than Pereira has now. Wolves pushed their transfer business late to stretch a tight budget, which led to seven first-team departures and six arrivals.

The result is a team learning on the job while the league shows no mercy.

There are fixes within reach. Pereira improved the defending when he first arrived; those gains can return with a proper training week and a settled XI. Tighten the shape out of possession. Cut cheap giveaways in build-up. Move the ball faster through midfield to find runners early. Be sharper on set pieces with clear roles and aggression. And find an attacking spark to turn pressure into shots on target.

For all the good work and credit Pereira earned when he came in, Wolves have not won a league game since April and have only one win if you include cup matches and friendlies.

Pressure is mounting, the fans are restless, and three of the next five fixtures are against promoted sides. These games will define Pereira's future and Wolves' season.

Leeds is a pivotal game, for belief as much as points, and it must be won.

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We asked for your views on whether Bruno Fernandes is undroppable from the Manchester United team, and whether the captain fits into Ruben Amorim's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: When Kobbie Mainoo came on and Bruno Fernandes pushed up into the number 10 position he was more comfortable and looked more dangerous. Apart from his passing accuracy, which was poor throughout the match. As a defender it's easy to see that he's a liability, not strong in the tackle and doesn't see danger. It's very simple - play him in an advanced position.

Andrew: Fernandes is the most consistent player United have. There is no way he can be dropped. Amorim has not been able to get the best out of rest of the players in the team.

Richard: In hindsight, we should have taken the huge offer for Bruno [from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal] and run to the bank with it. It's sad it's come to this but he's holding us back, as opposed to leading us forward. Each passing game only highlights further that once again our midfield is in dire need of support.

Barry: If you have a player who is world class in his favoured position then why would you, unless you do not understand the fundamentals of football, play him out of position?

Graham: Fernandes needs to be dropped. He was very poor on Sunday, as he has been for a long time. Why can't United make any dead balls count, or for that matter any crosses?

Stephen: We do not have a squad that suits Amorim's preferred formation and, given the recent transfer window, that is shocking. Manuel Ugarte is the closest to the type of mobile midfielder needed, but he isn't quite good enough. Fernandes can't play that role. Amorim has to accept this and play a style that suits his squad. If he can't change then I'm afraid he must go.

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Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Wolves have lost their first four games of a league season for the first time in their history.

Of the previous 17 teams to lose their first four games of a Premier League season, eight have survived and nine have been relegated - essentially a coin flip.

However, such a bad start has been far more costly in recent years, with just one of the past five teams to do so staying up. That was Everton last season.

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Manchester United have already suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup defeat by League Two Grimsby in the opening weeks of the 2025-26 campaign.

Alarmingly they have also managed only two goals from open play, while losing twice in their opening four league fixtures - with four points their poorest return at this stage since 1992-93 under Sir Alex Ferguson.

By then, though, Ferguson already had some credit in the bank having won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup, while he guided United to a runners-up league finish in his first full season (1987-88).

In contrast, Amorim's 36% win rate across all competitions is the worst of any permanent United manager since World War Two and his win record is a dismal 26% in the league.

Of the 17 sides who have been in the Premier League throughout since Amorim's tenure began, his United team have the worst record - alongside Tottenham - with just 31 points from 31 games.

"Quite a lot of league seasons that is relegation form," said former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

"What is important when you're trying to implement a new style is you win games as well while you're doing that."

Rooney also echoed comments made by other former players now working in the media when he addressed Amorim's insistence on deploying two central midfielders, often against opposition sides featuring three.

"I have had my time as a manager, and I know how it works, and I know how it is when someone else looks and critiques your formation. I can understand that, but it is so obvious," Rooney added.

"If you're struggling, you have to put three in midfield and give yourself a chance to compete."

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Tom Gayle
Match of the Day commentator at the Vitality Stadium

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I don't think I was alone in considering Bournemouth's deadline day signing of Veljko Milosavljevic as 'one for the future', given he is just 18 and had a mere 27 senior appearances for Red Star Belgrade.

Football moves quick.

Because Bournemouth didn't want to take any risks with Bafode Diakite, who I was told was not 100%, the stage was set for Milosavljevic to become the club's youngest player - and the youngest Serb - to start a Premier League match.

Andoni Iraola's response when I asked him pre-match if Milosavljevic was ready to play at this level was: "I'm not sure." The honest answer will have come from only having worked with the teenager for a couple of days as a result of him being away with Serbia Under-21s.

After Saturday's 2-1 victory over Brighton, the answer in the short term is an emphatic yes.

The biggest praise has to be for his mentality. The only visible sign of nerves was the slightly awkward pre-game dressing room photo posted on Bournemouth's social media, external.

As for his performance, I wouldn't go as far as saying he is the complete package of a modern, ball-playing centre-back yet, but he was more than comfortable playing out from the back and slotted in perfectly alongside Marcos Senesi.

Clearly the quicker of the two centre-halves, Milosavljevic was more effective in dealing with Brighton's pace in behind. He can do the ugly stuff too. Despite his boyish looks, Milosavljevic more than held his own when dealing with the physicality and guile of the experienced Danny Welbeck.

Described as "one of the biggest talents in Serbian football" by media in his homeland, I'm reluctant to add to the hype train after a sample size of one Premier League game.

I'm more inclined to echo the more measured assessment of match-winner Antoine Semenyo when I asked him about his new team-mate's debut: "Solid - did everything right. A great start for him and many more to come".

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Some players found out about Nuno Esprito Santo's exit this week from their team mates, shocked messages and phone calls going around with many on international duty.

Nuno was popular, he fostered a unity in the squad and club which helped push their Champions League challenge last season.

Ange Postecoglou must harness that to drive the club and squad on again. It will not be lost from within a close-knit squad and the new manager will surely recognise that.

The former Australia boss, though, is usually quiet and reserved initially, preferring to get ready for business and enjoying his own space.

Nick Montgomery, Mile Jedinak and Sergio Raimundo have joined as assistants along with Rob Burch as goalkeeping coach - having worked with Postecoglou at Tottenham - and they are likely to be the link with the rest of the staff, rather than the manager himself.

Not to say Postecoglou will ignore others but he is there to work, professional, direct and focused.

Those close to him have described him as honest, a good man, and unapologetic about how he wants to play.

He will drive them on, he tells players they will be the ones on top if they will follow him there - one of the reasons for his winning in his second season statement.

In his two years at Celtic he won two Scottish titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup, joining the club after they had lost the title to Rangers.

He took them back to the to the Champions League and performed well in a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in Glasgow in September 2022.

The hosts hit the post and had a number of chances before Madrid scored three times in the second half.

Yet the performance itself was not enough for Postecoglou who told his side, despite the level of opposition, there should not be a ceiling for them.

He told the squad he did not buy that Real Madrid were the superstars, he did not want to accept defeat. He wanted to win rather than just getting praise for playing well.

It was a good first half against one of the best teams in the world and those at Celtic at the time were pleasantly surprised by Postecoglou's stance. Reputations did not matter and he will look to drive Forest in the same way.

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Ange Postecoglou has told BBC Radio Nottingham he wants to deliver a "generational moment" as Forest boss.

Speaking to Colin Fray, Postecoglou explained: "I want the fans to dream and to almost bring to reality everything they dreamed for. The only trepidation is you might let them down but I'd much rather that than kind of fear success might come our way. I'd love that while I am here I bring a generational moment to this football club. It would mean everything I am passionate about is realised and long after I am gone there's the smallest of footprints in this football club made by me.

"I always want to make an impact at any club I am at. I think the only way you make an impact is to win things and creating moments that will outlast your tenure. That is my ambition at this club is to do something that hasn't been done for a long time or maybe done before. The intention is, the club is on an upward trajectory, in a good place, there are possibilities of making that real in terms of tangible success."

In a wide-ranging discussion, Postecoglou explained he thinks the Forest squad has the attributes to adapt to his style of play, stating: "Yes it's a different way a little bit and a little more aggressive in its approach. When I look at this squad I see an exciting squad that can play expansive football and be effective. I don't think it's such a far reach."

Listen to Postecoglou speak to BBC Radio Nottingham

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

There has been a lot of talk around Ruben Amorim's style of play at Manchester United but many of the questions sent in via our 'Ask about Man Utd' form have been about what Bruno Fernandes' best position is.

The United captain is facing a new challenge this season, as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha occupy the attacking roles.

This is a big debating point. Amorim was very clear in the summer he wanted Fernandes in a deeper position because he wanted him on the ball more often.

His rationale was that Fernandes will find more room and that will allow him to have more impact on the game.

The secondary element of that is squeezing out Kobbie Mainoo as Amorim feels the Stockport-born midfielder is best suited to that position.

The alternative view is that Fernandes is more of a danger in one of the number 10 roles in Amorim's system and rather than spending most of his available resource this summer on attacking players, United should have bought a holding midfielder.

My personal feeling is Erik ten Hag got it spot on in the 2024 FA Cup final, when he effectively used Fernandes as a false nine as his football intelligence takes him into areas where he can be a danger and flanked by quick players, it causes opposition defences a major problem.

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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New Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou revealed he knew he was going to be sacked by Tottenham before winning the Europa League.

The 60-year-old guided Spurs to their first trophy in 17-years after beating Manchester United in Bilbao in May.

But 16 days later he was axed having finished 17th in the Premier League - 27 points adrift of Forest last season.

He replaced the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground on Tuesday to return to management.

"It wasn't great. I knew it was coming so it wasn't a surprise," he said at his Forest unveiling.

"It was a great three days [winning the Europa League] and I didn't want it to damage that. Whether I feel it was unjust other people make those decisions, they make those determinations. That's up to them, they have their own reasoning for it.

"To be fair, I've done it a couple of times myself. I left Celtic and I'm sure they were disappointed. You understand that's part of the business we're in. But that's OK. It's allowed me now to move into this and maybe things happen for a reason.

"What I do know is I had two years where it was very, very challenging but we were with some fantastic people. There isn't a Spurs supporter that I don't come across now that doesn't want to hug me and take me home for dinner.

"So I must have done something right. I think ultimately that's what we do it for. I'm very proud of what we achieved there. It will always take a special place in my heart. How it ended, I don't really think about it a lot."

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

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Set-piece guru Bernardo Cueva left Brentford to join then-new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca's backroom staff in the summer of 2024 - but there were a few murmurs over his perceived lack of impact from within the Blues' fanbase last season.

The Bees scoring the most goals from set-pieces in the Premier League (25) across the 2022-23 season coupled with a £750,000 compensation fee gave the indication Cueva's move to Stamford Bridge could be a game-changer.

However, despite a solid and promising first campaign under Maresca, Chelsea only managed 16 goals from set-pieces - actually down from 23 the year before - and ranked them 11th in the division.

Such is the significance of the role in modern football, the man who replaced Cueva as 'tactical statistician' at Brentford, Keith Andrews, will manage the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening.

And he will be preparing his side to face a Chelsea who now seem to be reaping the benefits of Cueva's expertise.

Five of the seven goals scored by Maresca's side so far this season have come from set-pieces, including penalties - the highest in the division - and the inventive routines on show have caught the eye.

While last term only Manchester City played a larger proportion of their corners short - the Blues have favoured in-swinging deliveries aimed at the near post and centre of the six-yard box.

Marc Cucurella has often made a late run to the near post while Liam Delap - who's role will need to filled in the injured striker's absence - has been standing close to the goalkeeper to limit his movement.

The Spanish full-back flicked the ball on for Joao Pedro's equaliser against West Ham and drew players out of position for the same player's opener against Fulham.

As our fan writer Will Faulks states, dead-ball scenarios have turned "from a weakness to a strength" for Chelsea so far this season.

However, their opponents on Saturday only conceded four from set-pieces last year - by far the fewest in the division - and that shows Andrews' own astuteness in this area.

Keep an eye on the battle of the set-piece gurus at the Gtech.

*Stats provided by Opta

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New Manchester City signing Gianluigi Donnarumma says he is sure he and Pep Guardiola "will do great things together" at the club and that winning the Champions League again would be "a dream".

"I think his history speaks for itself," the 26-year-old goalkeeper said about his new boss.

"The fact that he wanted me here is a reason to be proud of. It's an indescribable emotion. Being coached by him I think is the best for a football player.

"I can't wait to follow him and take to the pitch with him. I'm sure he will help me a lot and we will do great things together, this season as well as in the following years. As we said, it's been an era of unbelievable success here."

The Italy international arrives after a trophy-laden spell at Paris St-Germain which culminated in Champions League glory last season.

Only Carlo Ancelotti has won the trophy more times than Guardiola and Donnarumma believes they can repeat City's only Champions League triumph as part of a historic Treble in 2023.

"It is one of our goals, I'm not going to hide it," he added.

"Lifting the Champions League trophy with City would be a dream for me.

"Together with the coach and the staff I am convinced we will be able to go far but now we have to work humbly and think game by game."

Much has been made of which direction Guardiola will take with his number one goalkeeper this season with the arrival of James Trafford from Burnley preceding Ederson's exit.

However, Donnarumma feels competitiveness within the squad can drive the club forward.

"I'm happy because competition is good for everyone," he added.

"I can't wait to meet [James], and I can't wait to meet my new team-mates. We have to be a strong and united group with people who care for each other and that is the key to success. 

"Together we can make great success."

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Fulham's club-record £34.6m signing Kevin will go to another level under manager Marco Silva, according to Shakhtar Sporting director Dario Srna.

The 22-year-old, who scored 17 goals in 57 matches in all competitions for the Ukrainian club, finally moved to Craven Cottage with fellow wide player Samuel Chukwueze on deadline day.

Speaking about the move, which he negotiated directly, Srna told BBC Sport: "Fulham have an amazing winger, he has amazing skills, is so fast, good one-versus-one, he even defends well.

"With Marco Silva, for me one of the best coaches in the Premier League, he will continue to develop for sure. I believe Kevin will move to one of the biggest clubs within the next two years."

However, there were concerns that the deal may not go through with Fulham having also agreed a deal to sign Chelsea winger Tyrique George for £22m and amid reports Portuguese club Sporting hijacked the move for Kevin.

"We kept our position from the first day," Srna added. "We told Fulham our price and that's it. We cannot sell for less - than what we said.

"We had a lot offers for him and he could have gone elsewhere but he decided Fulham was best for him. It was his dream to play in the Premier League but we needed our conditions to be met to sell him."

Srna admits the move leaves Shakhtar in the usual position of having to rebuild without a star player but they are happy to keep signing top players out of Brazil before moving them on.

"Kevin came to us having not been able to get into Palmeiras' team and 18 months later he is sold for 40m euros to Fulham. Brazilians are happy to join Shakhtar because we develop them and they help us get good results, get into Europe and sell players to the top clubs.

"We brought three amazing talents, 19-year-old Lucas Ferreira from Sao Paulo and 18-year-olds Isaque from Fluminense and Luca Meirelles from Santos, they show we can still recruit well from Brazil.

"Midfielder Georhiy Sudakov also went to Benfica and we develop Ukrainian talents also. But it's harder with the war, we hope it ends soon. We keep working, the league remains competitive and this is the youngest team in Shakhtar's history."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Is it a bad sign that Brighton sold more players than they bought in during the summer transfer window? That is one of the questions sent in via our 'Ask about Brighton' form.

Joao Pedro and Pervis Estupinan were sold, alongside other non first team players, for a total of £139m. The Seagulls spent £70m was on incomings.

I don't see the numbers as being an issue. Last season, Brighton had 19 players who started 10 or more Premier League games.

Fifteen have already started a game this term, even though it is only three matches old.

That figure only includes one of the players Brighton paid a significant fee for this summer and also excludes Olivier Boscagli, the 27-year-old Dutchman, who arrived on a free transfer after playing almost 200 games for PSV Eindhoven.

In addition, Solly March and James Milner have recovered from long term injuries and we can't be sure at this point if anyone from the academy will force their way into Fabian Hurzeler's squad.

With no Europe, Hurzeler has enough cover to cope. Brighton's ownership has proved so often they know what they are doing. Maybe one day, that will change.

But if it is this season, I can't think that the reason will be a lack of bodies.

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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"It's OK, sit down," Ange Postecoglou joked to the media as he was introduced at the City Ground.

It started a 50-minute press conference where the new Nottingham Forest manager laced his answers with some jokes and character, but also underlined his determination to win at his new club.

He talked about how his 60th birthday celebrations were interrupted by negotiations over the weekend - how he and his friends had planned a Hangover-style party only to be in bed by 10pm as they realised their age.

But underneath everything there was the seriousness of winning and succeeding at Forest, bringing joy to the fans and how he will always stick to his principles.

Postecoglou also spoke about how he knew the sack was coming at Tottenham - before he won the Europa League - as he reflected on his previous job.

His time out was spent with his family, and he kidded that kidding owner Evangelos Marinakis caught him at the right time as there was no greater motivation to get back to work than the school run. It is clear the break has done him good.

At the end of his time at Spurs he was on the defensive, even as they reached the Europa League final. This appeared to be a refreshed Postecoglou, ready for a new challenge.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

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In the capital this weekend there will be Leeds United supporters visiting one of the world's most famous front doors on Downing Street as well as Craven Cottage. They will all know who resides behind the former but as to who will occupy the number 10 for the Whites at Fulham is a mystery.

After United missed out on a bespoke signing for the role, forward Willy Gnonto was asked if he was being considered as an option.

"I don't think I'm a good person to answer," he told me. "I've done it before, even last season, not a lot, but I've done it. It's just about how the coach wants to play. Wherever he wants to play me I'm ready to play and help the team.

Gnonto, 21, has started each of Leeds' Premier League games on the left wing and is bullish about the side's chances on Saturday.

"Really positive - I think every game, to be fair, we know we have a chance and we know that we are really strong," he adds. "Away is always tough but we are ready to play and we're going to try and be as competitive as possible."

The Italy international knows he has to shoulder some of the goalscoring burden with United yet to score from open play.

"It's time. Obviously playing up front we are always going to be judged for our goals and our assists," Gnonto added.

"We've struggled a bit scoring goals and creating chances but I'm sure that it's going to come. We have the quality so I'm sure we're going to score."

With United having won once in 14 attempts in the 'Big Smoke', whether Gnonto plays at 10 or not, it's time to do a number.

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana will travel to Turkey from Paris today to complete his loan switch to Trabzonspor.

Onana agreed the deal during the international break after United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for £18.1m.

The Cameroon international had been told during the summer he would be Ruben Amorim's first choice at Old Trafford this season but clearly that situation has changed.

His only appearance so far this season came against Grimsby in the EFL Cup, when he was at fault for the League Two side's second goal in their shock win.

It is not expected Onana will return to the United fold at the end of his loan stint and his exit does mean Amorim won't have to manage the 29-year-old's mid-season departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, defender Tyrell Malacia is the one remaining member of Amorim's 'bomb squad' who is yet to find a club.

Turkish club Eyupspor have inquired about the full-back but it is not clear whether Malacia is keen on the switch.

The Turkish transfer deadline is on Friday night, as is Greece's.

Serbia remains open until 17 September.

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma is set to become the eighth Manchester City player to make their Premier League bow in a Manchester derby - and the third goalkeeper.

Swedish international Andreas Isaksson's first City appearance came as a half-time substitute during this fixture in 2006 and Claudio Bravo started Pep Guardiola's first derby at Old Trafford in 2016.

Neither kept a clean sheet.

Five of the previous seven debutants ended up on the winning side, two found the net and one – Mikhail Kavelashvili – is now the president of Georgia.

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Bardi
Fan writer

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There is something about Ange Postecoglou that is intoxicating.

He will talk to everyone, but it feels like he is talking just to you. His ability to capture the mood, feed off the energy in the room and read the situation will make you all fall in love. It will be an instant attraction, a holiday romance. He will say the right things, he will put you, attacking football and the love for the game first.

Players will feed into his ambition to play football the right way. They will feel released from the shackles of whatever tactical rigidity there was before and suddenly they' are kids again, free to cut inside, push high and "play, play, play."

At Spurs our honeymoon period was glorious. We sang his name, we called everyone "mate" and we enjoyed football being played the right way. But as with everything in life, you need to adjust to the holiday ending.

The weather turns and you find yourself freezing cold and wet - the beach is a distant memory. The ideas that swept you off your feet are gone. You are back in reality.

At Spurs, it was injuries and a lack of investment in key areas that brought about Ange's downfall. He went into every game with the ambition to win, but the team was not fit for purpose. He failed to adapt and roll with the blows, which to be fair to him were numerous.

Towards the end he did manage to recapture a semblance of that summer romance.

Spurs trundled their way to Bilbao and on the Iberian peninsula he delivered the greatest night we have had for a generation. We fell back in love with the man who puts family, football and expressing your love for the game first.

But then we got back home and reality came back and we deleted him from our contacts.

Ange is capable of delivering moments of sheer ecstasy and he can sweep you up in the way he talks, but unless he's learned how to adapt, change and work with what he has, the romance at Forest may be even shorter than our fling with the Aussie.

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Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

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At 21, Wilfried Gnonto is an experienced player - a senior Italy international with 122 appearances and 22 goals for Leeds United.

After signing from Zurich for £4m three years ago, Gnonto is on his second stint in the Premier League where the competition for his place is fierce after the arrival of Noah Okafor from AC Milan.

With a characteristic smile, Gnonto is taking the threat in his stride.

"Obviously when you play in the Premier League you are going to have competition," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "You have good players and you can't do anything to stop this.

"I'm quite focused on myself and am sure of my abilities. I'm just happy for him. I know he's a good player."

Gnonto is now a senior member of Daniel Farke's squad so, with 10 new team-mates, he is well placed to assess if Leeds are better equipped to survive in the top flight this time around.

"We're stronger. We've had a little time to work on our tactics and get to know each other a bit more. I feel like we can just get better from now," he added.

"Every position is better, to be fair. We've improved at the back and in midfield. You've just talked about Noah but we have Dom [Calvert-Lewin], Lukas [Nmecha] and so many players up front as well, plus Jack [Harrison] coming back."

As for reclaiming a place in the Italy squad for next year's World Cup, Gnonto is yet to speak to head coach Gennaro Gattuso. However, he knows he has to force himself into contention.

"Being in the squad would be incredible for me," he said.

"At the same time, it's just a consequence of what I do here, so I'm just focused on doing my best by helping the team and hopefully it's going to come too."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport senior journalist

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Earlier on Wednesday, BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor suggested there may come a time this season where Unai Emery will need to prioritise either the Premier League or and another competition for his Aston Villa side.

This is the third campaign where Villa are involved in Europe and, as favourites for the Europa League, a hectic schedule would be the natural result of good performances.

Whether Villa's squad can handle that is uncertain.

In any case, they have the manager to do so. Taylor acknowledged that Emery, a three-time winner of the Europa League at Sevilla, knows how to navigate complex fixture runs.

So, will he have to prioritise or not?

A quick look at some numbers shows that Emery has successfully balanced winning records in domestic leagues with going deep in European competitions.

During his time at Sevilla, he twice finished fifth while leading them to Europa League glory. Only in the 2015-16 season did their league form stutter, this time slipping to seventh.

That in part could be explained by the additional difficulties of a Champions League run in the first half of the season, before they dropped into the Europa League as a consolation and went on to win it.

At Aston Villa, it has been a similar story.

Despite the huge demands of Conference League football, Villa put together their best season in decades, for a while even challenging for the title in 2023-24, before settling for Champions League qualification.

Last season, Emery's side were in the hunt for the top four until the final day, when Emi Martinez's red card at Old Trafford played a huge part in limiting their chances.

Therefore, while winning a trophy - and a European one at that - does seem a suitable goal for Emery's side this season, doing well in the league should remain vital.

And you agree.

Here is a snapshot of your comments:

Jerry: The Premier League has to be a priority as this is what leads to future progress, but we have to play more attacking football.

Damien: Winning the Europa League is obviously very appealing, but putting all your eggs in the basket of knockout football is always a huge risk. Emery is right in focusing on the league because consistently high finishes are what will build a solid base for the future - and, hopefully, more trophies to come.

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Nick Godwin
BBC Radio London reporter

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It was all going so quietly, wasn't it?

An international break, the transfer window finally shut. What could possibly fly out of the blue?

Well, the departure of the single most significant individual at Tottenham in the 21st Century would probably fit the bill.

Daniel Levy's ideas and influence dominated every single major moment in Spurs history for the past 25 years. His achievements, his mistakes and his contradictions run through Tottenham Hotspur as though through a stick of rock.

The creation of one of the finest football stadiums in the world, the urgent pursuit of regular Champions League football, although perhaps not the resources to always make it happen, and until recently, a consistent failure to bring home the trophies the supporters craved.

All these things are Daniel Levy and they are Tottenham Hotspur.

Until now.

The new decision-makers will have to take the Levy blueprint and decide how to vary it.

While his approach stayed remarkably consistent over the course of the past 25 years, football at the top has changed fundamentally. If the new decision-makers want to turn Spurs into another Premier League behemoth that uses financial muscle to challenge for the big trophies, they will find there is an awful lot of elbowing required, even if you have got the money.

More of the same, or gambling, or trying something entirely new? All have risks attached. Maybe that is why the former Tottenham chairman should get credit – his approach proved remarkably durable during a period of seismic change.

As the two parties finally go their separate ways, it is worth marvelling at the deep ironies of the past few months.

Instead of challenging for the top four, which was always the main priority, Spurs chased a trophy, allowed their league form to disintegrate and then gave the fans their greatest moment in decades, including Champions League qualification.

It's as though the Levy centre just could not hold.

After 25 years of trying to do things one way, a different approach made a lot of dreams come true by breaking everything.

Perhaps it is only fitting that someone else will steer the club through the new landscape.

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Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Everton's right-back position has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Everton' form.

We put your questions about that position in the squad to BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Giulia Bould.

Seamus Coleman turns 37 next month and is in his 17th season at Everton. He was signed by David Moyes during his first spell at the club and remains the manager's most trusted right-back, despite struggling to stay fit.

Replacing the Republic of Ireland international has seemingly proved impossible task. Eight managers between Moyes' two stints have failed to find an ideal candidate.

Nathan Patterson was brought in from Rangers by Rafael Benitez just 12 days before he was sacked in January 2022. At the time, he was touted as a natural successor but has failed to impress and came close to leaving this summer.

When Coleman has been sidelined, it has been a case of square pegs and round holes.

Ben Godfrey was moved from centre-back to plug the gap before his exit in 2024. Sean Dyche brought in Ashley Young but, at the age of 38, he was never a long-term solution.

The other option was midfielder James Garner. In September 2024, then-director of football Kevin Thelwell told me that with budgets tight, and Garner having won the Euros with England under-21s as a right-back, he was the backup for the foreseeable.

Now, Moyes favours Jake O'Brien who admits, while he is happy to cover, he still sees himself as a centre-back. The Toffees searched again this summer for a right-back but on deadline day, only German midfielder Merlin Rohl arrived.

For now then, Seamus Coleman - when fit - remains the manager's first choice in the position and it makes his £60,000 price tag in 2009 seem an even bigger bargain.

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Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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When the overhauled Villa squad assembles for the first time later this week, they will set out on a fearfully demanding yomp towards Christmas.

Aside from international 'breaks' in October and November - badly named, since most of Unai Emery's players will travel to two games in each - there is only one midweek in the next three months where Villa will have no game to play.

Even that assumes they will go no further in the Carabao Cup.

For all the excitement of the other adventures the club has had since he took over, Emery has always underlined the Premier League is the top priority without which none of the rest happens. Every manager says this for most of the season and there is no reason to doubt that Emery means it.

But - let's call this a thought experiment - what if it wasn't?

Villa's stumbling start has given a small advantage to some likely rivals for a high Premier League finish. It is far from insurmountable and Villa are capable of achieving a Champions League qualification place again.

But many observers and fans have said that the next stage for Villa must be to win something. They are favourites for the Europa League and if they justify that status, they will achieve both ambitions at the same time - win something and return to the Champions League.

In Emery they have a proven course-and-distance winner, the Red Rum of Europa League management. Nobody understands the task of running a Europa League and domestic league season simultaneously better than him.

He sets out to win every game, of course, but with Villa's workload and resources, it is likely at some point Emery will face a delicate choice, to balance priorities.

Their defence laid low by injuries, Tottenham ended up in that sort of situation last season. A fat lot of good it did their coach, you might say, but they're in the Champions League now.

If Villa were to follow a similar path, Emery could surely expect a rather more generous tribute.

Listen to full commentary of Everton v Villa at 15:00 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio WM (95.6FM)

What is Villa's priority this season?

How should Emery balance his plans?

Let us know here