Merson: If Watkins refused to play, it's disgusting - I don't see Emery staying

Aston Villa have endured a nightmare start to the season, losing 4-0 to Brighton in their Premier League opener after a summer in which they sold several key stars; watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football next week from 6.30pm, kick-off 8pm

In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson assesses Aston Villa's dreadful start to the season following their heavy defeat at Brighton.

Following a summer that saw them sell a spine of key players in Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, Villa found themselves 4-0 down to Brighton after 30 minutes, and ended up losing by the same scoreline.

The transfer sagas are not over at Villa - with Ollie Watkins not involved against Brighton amid interest from Saudi Arabia and goalkeeper Emi Martinez also missing the game.

It breaks your heart to see Villa like this - I don't see Unai Emery staying.

You sell all your best players, what do you expect? I didn't expect them to be 4-0 down in 30 minutes, but I didn't expect them to beat Brighton.

It's madness at the highest level. We're talking about a big, big football club that just got in the Champions League, won a European trophy - and then sold all their best players.

I worry for Villa. I don't expect them to go down, of course not. But I don't expect them to finish in the top half even with a top manager like Emery.

If Emery's not fed up with this situation, then he's some person. This situation is very rare. We saw Spurs win a European cup and finish 17th. He won the same European cup and finished fourth.

I don't see Emery hanging around for long if things continue like this. We're talking about one of the top managers in the game, and everyone seems to be leaving him left, right and centre.

We're talking Aston Villa, who I played for and are a great, great club. It breaks your heart when you see what's happening.

They've just fought to get to the promised land of Champions League football, winning a European trophy. Now it's time to kick on. And they've sold everyone that's top drawer.

Whoever did that contract for Youri Tielemans where he inserted a £36m release clause should be under scrutiny.

Teams who are going to finish fourth-bottom or third-bottom this season are paying £35m for players. That is just an absolute cup of tea in this day and age of football.