Aston Villa's President of Football Operations, Monchi, is reportedly on the verge of leaving the club, a significant blow to manager Unai Emery. This news comes after a disappointing start to the season for Aston Villa, who are currently winless and in the bottom three of the Premier League.

Monchi's potential departure after just over two years since joining in June 2023, reuniting with Unai Emery, would be a major setback for the club's project. He arrived with a strong reputation, particularly from his successful spells at Sevilla, where he was known for identifying and developing talented players. During his time at Sevilla, Monchi was responsible for sourcing players like Adriano, Dani Alves, Júlio Baptista, Federico Fazio, Seydou Keita and Ivan Rakitić, resulting in a profit of around €200 million in the transfer market.

Several factors are believed to be contributing to Monchi's decision. Reports suggest disagreements over the club's transfer strategy and a failure to adequately strengthen the squad in the recent transfer window. Financial Fair Play constraints may have also played a role, limiting Aston Villa's ability to make new signings. The lack of reinforcements has left the team struggling, currently sitting in the relegation zone with only three draws from their first five Premier League matches. They have also been eliminated from the Carabao Cup.

The timing of Monchi's potential exit is particularly concerning as Aston Villa are set to begin their Europa League campaign. They are considered one of the favorites in the competition, but Monchi's departure could disrupt their preparations and negatively impact their chances.

Monchi's career as a sporting director began after his retirement as a player for Sevilla in 1999. He is credited with transforming Sevilla into a major force in Spanish and European football through his astute recruitment and development of players. Before joining Aston Villa, he also had a spell at Roma. His arrival at Villa Park was seen as a major coup for the club, and he was expected to play a key role in their ambitious plans to challenge for European qualification.

The news of Monchi's impending departure has been met with disappointment and concern by Aston Villa fans. He was seen as a key figure in the club's long-term project, and his exit raises questions about the direction of the club under Unai Emery. The manager and Monchi had a close working relationship, and his departure could create uncertainty and instability within the club.