Unai Emery delivered a scathing assessment of Aston Villa’s performance after their 1-1 draw with Sunderland, accusing his side of being “lazy” and straying from their identity. Still winless after five Premier League games, Villa sit 18th with just three points. The match appeared to swing in their favour when Sunderland were reduced to 10 men in the 33rd minute, after Reinildo Mandava was sent off for lashing out at Matty Cash. Cash soon opened Villa’s Premier League account for the season with a superb long-range strike, but Wilson Isidor’s 75th-minute equaliser earned the visitors a point and extended Villa’s dismal start. A visibly frustrated Emery vented post-match: “We were lazy sometimes. Lazy. The goal we conceded, we were lazy. Perhaps that’s because we didn’t play in our style.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca explained that Cole Palmer’s early withdrawal during the loss to Manchester United was down to fitness concerns, not Robert Sanchez’s red card. The England midfielder was substituted inside the opening 20 minutes, sparking suggestions the change was a tactical response to Robert Sanchez‘ dismissal. However, Maresca dismissed that claim, revealing Palmer had been a doubt ahead of kick-off. “Cole tried this morning, he had a test this morning to play this game, he was not 100 per cent fit,” Maresca said. “He made a fantastic effort to play, but after 20 minutes he started to feel something, so we decided to change him.” Quick Hit: Maresca insists Palmer’s early exit was injury-related, not linked to Sanchez sending off.

 West Ham United are holding internal talks over possible replacements for manager Graham Potter after a poor start to the season. Potter’s position has come under further scrutiny following Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace, a result that sparked fan protests against the board outside London Stadium. According to BBC Sport, candidates being considered include former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, who previously played for the Hammers, as well as ex-manager Slaven Bilic. Both are currently free agents. Potter has managed just six wins from 25 games since his appointment, raising doubts about his long-term future in charge.

Wolves manager Vitor Pereira says he is not concerned about his position despite his side’s poor start to the Premier League season. Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Leeds United left Wolves without a win from their opening five matches, piling early pressure on the Portuguese coach, who only recently signed a new contract. Pereira admitted his side were too passive defensively in the first half but praised their improved display after the break. “We are trying to correct the mistakes, but they happen again,” he said. “The second half was different. We didn’t concede anything to them… We created some chances to score, but it’s not easy because they defended with a low block.” Asked if poor results could cost him his job, Pereira was defiant: “I am not worried about my future. I am worried about the results. Of course I am confident I can turn it around.”