A threadbare Aston Villa squad fell apart against Brighton at the Amex Stadium - and champions Arsenal are on the horizon with problems mounting for Unai Emery. The Villa boss has been forced to watch as his Europa League-winning squad was decimated during the summer transfer window. Four of the starting line-up from that May final have departed, leaving gaping holes across the pitch.

Villa became just the second team in Premier League history to concede four goals, receive a red card and score an own goal in the first half. Emery has navigated slow starts before - Villa did not score a league goal until September 21 last season only to recover and secure Champions League football - but this feels like his biggest challenge yet.

From bad to worse, more exits loom. Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa are gone. Ollie Watkins is another cornerstone approaching an exit amid interest from Al Hilal. "Ask him. I can only answer it by silence," was Emery's response when asked why Watkins did not make the trip. Emiliano Martinez was also absent pursuing an exit. Villa's squad retention is the lowest in the Premier League at 65.6 per cent. Record signing Johan Manzambi is yet to appear due to injury.