Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has come under heavy criticism after storming down the tunnel without shaking hands with Brighton and Hove Albion counterpart Fabian Hurzeler following a humiliating 4-0 defeat on Sunday.
Villa suffered the worst possible start to the new season at the AMEX Stadium, falling 4-0 behind inside just 31 minutes.
Victor Lindelof put the hosts ahead with an own goal before Maxim De Cuyper doubled the lead. Jack Hinshelwood then scored twice within the space of a minute to complete the rout. To make matters worse, new signing Joao Gomes was sent off before halftime for kicking out at an opponent, a decision confirmed after a VAR review.
Villa avoided conceding further goals in the second half, but the result leaves them bottom of the Premier League after their opening display.
Emery skips the handshake
Emery was visibly furious at full time and left the pitch making angry gestures as he headed down the tunnel, bypassing the customary handshake with Hurzeler. The moment quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from supporters.
The handshake between opposing managers is a standard show of respect at the end of football matches. It is not the first time Emery has skipped the gesture, and fans took to X to voice their frustration.
Fans react online
One user wrote that it was shameful, calling Emery a bad loser who left the pitch furious after his team lost 4-0 to Hurzeler's Brighton, adding that he showed no sportsmanship.
Another said Emery was a good coach with a strong record, but was by far the worst loser in all of sport. A third described him as fleeing like a rat down a drain, while another joked that Hurzeler had become the latest manager to miss the half-second window to shake Emery's hand.
Emery has managed in the Premier League for several seasons and previously built a reputation in Europe for his record in continental competition. Brighton, managed by Hurzeler, play their home matches at the AMEX Stadium on the south coast of England.
Silence over Watkins
The controversy did not end with the handshake. When asked about the absence of Ollie Watkins from the starting lineup, amid reports linking the striker with a move to Saudi Arabia, Emery responded with silence in what was described as a strange scene. The moment was later mocked on social media.
