THAT CAN’T HAPPEN _ Ashley Young Tears into ‘worrying’ Unai Emery after Aston villa collapse at….

Former Ashley Young did not hold back in his assessment of Unai Emery following Aston Villa’s dramatic collapse in their latest outing, describing the situation as “worrying” and unacceptable at the highest level.

Villa, who have enjoyed a resurgence under Emery in recent seasons, appeared to be in control for large portions of the match before a shocking downturn saw them surrender their advantage in the closing stages. The late implosion has sparked criticism from pundits and former players alike, with Young delivering one of the most direct verdicts.

Speaking after the match, Young expressed disbelief at how quickly Villa lost their grip on the game. “That can’t happen,” he said. “At this level, when you’re in control, you have to manage the game properly. To let it slip like that — it’s worrying.”

The former Manchester United and England defender pointed to a lack of leadership and composure on the pitch, suggesting that Villa’s game management fell far below the standards expected of a side pushing for European qualification. According to Young, the issue wasn’t just tactical — it was mental.

“You need players who can calm things down, see the game out, and make smart decisions under pressure,” he added. “Instead, it looked like panic set in.”

Attention has inevitably turned to Emery, whose tactical acumen has been widely praised since taking charge at Villa Park. However, Young questioned whether the manager reacted quickly enough as momentum shifted.

“Managers have to read the game,” Young noted. “When things start to go wrong, you make changes — whether that’s personnel or shape. It didn’t feel like Villa adapted in time.”

Despite the criticism, it is unlikely that one result will overshadow the progress Emery has made with the Midlands club. Under his leadership, Villa have transformed into a competitive force, blending disciplined structure with attacking flair.

Still, this latest setback serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins at the top level. For a team with ambitions of competing in Europe, lapses like this can prove costly over the course of a season.

Young’s comments reflect a broader concern: consistency. While Villa have shown they can compete with top sides, maintaining focus for the full 90 minutes remains a challenge.

As the season progresses, Emery will be expected to address these vulnerabilities quickly. The talent is there, the system is in place — but as Young made clear, concentration and control in key moments are non-negotiable.

For Aston Villa, the message is simple: learn fast, or risk seeing promising progress undone by preventable mistakes.