A threadbare Aston Villa squad fell apart against Brighton at the Amex Stadium - and champions Arsenal are on the horizon with problems mounting for Unai Emery.
The Villa boss has been forced to watch on as his Europa League-winning squad has been decimated during the summer transfer window.
Four of the starting line-up from that May final have departed, leaving gaping holes across the pitch, and the situation could worsen before they host Arsenal at Villa Park, live on Monday Night Football.
The seismic changes caused a storm that even the experienced Emery could not weather on the opening weekend.
Villa became just the second team in Premier League history to concede four goals, receive a red card and score an own goal in the first half - after Southampton against Manchester United in 2020/21. Starts to the season do not get much worse.
Emery has navigated slow starts before: Villa did not score a league goal until September 21 last season only to recover and secure Champions League football, but this feels like his biggest challenge yet.
The situation appears bleak but there is no time for self-pity - changes, adjustments and reinforcements are desperately needed.
From bad to worse? More exits on the horizon
Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa are gone. Ollie Watkins is another big name and cornerstone of the squad approaching an exit amid interest from Al Hilal.
"Ask him. I can only answer it by silence," was the response from Emery when asked why Watkins did not make the trip to the south coast for the defeat at Brighton, as his side unravelled to an embarrassing defeat without a recognised striker named in the squad.
Emiliano Martinez, a stalwart in goal, was also absent and is pursuing an exit after a move to Juventus fell through. His replacement, Zion Suzuki, watched on from the bench as his new side failed to land a blow in the one-sided brawl at the Amex.
Villa's squad retention is the lowest in the Premier League at 65.6 per cent, followed closely by Tottenham at 67.1 per cent.
However, changes at Spurs were needed given back-to-back 17th-placed finishes. Villa's squad has been pulled apart from a point of success.
Joao Gomes, another new recruit and a man Villa were relying on to fill one of the many chasms, was sent off on his league debut at Brighton to add salt to the wound of the dismal defeat.
Record signing Johan Manzambi is yet to make an appearance due to injury and will not be available to face Arsenal, joining Amadou Onana on the sidelines following his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury at the World Cup.
Alejandro Garnacho and Matteo Ruggeri both came off the bench to make their debuts at Brighton, their introductions providing fresh legs more than anything as Emery sought to limit the damage.
Key players have left and their replacements are either unavailable or being kept at arm's length from the upheaval to slowly embed into the team. So, where do Villa turn now?
Toothless - Villa need an option up front
One position that needs addressing sooner rather than later is up front.
Watkins' future at Villa Park is seemingly approaching a bitter and sudden end. The cryptic interview from Emery when quizzed on his absence points to irreparable damage.
Villa turned to Emi Buendia in a false nine role and that experiment, albeit a forced one, panned out as expected as they registered just two touches in the opposition box before the red card and five in total.
They simply cannot approach the game against Arsenal without a focal point of the attack.
Seventeen-year-old Brian Madjo, who emerged in style with five goals in seven appearances throughout pre-season, is out injured and Watkins' usual understudy Tammy Abraham was also sidelined at Brighton.
Sky Sports News has reported the club are expected to act on their long-term interest in reuniting Nicolas Jackson and Emery, his old boss at Villarreal, if Watkins does depart - given the manner of their opening loss and the strength of their next opponent, urgency might be required.
Villa have spent the least amount of any side in the league to replace the players they have lost this summer - and striker is not a position you can make do without.
Who replaces Joao Gomes in midfield?
Joao Gomes captured the hearts of Villa fans for his performances in pre-season, scoring in the 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich to cap off an impressive start to life in claret and blue.
However, like Villa as a whole, he unravelled against Brighton. Gomes was caught on the ball inside his own penalty area for Jack Hinshelwood's second, scored just 79 seconds after his first and Brighton's third, and the Brazilian was sent off for violent conduct soon after.
He will now serve a three-game suspension, giving Emery another headache.
His arrival was meant to ease the absence of Tielemans' departure but Emery will now have to rely on Ross Barkley, John McGinn, Lamare Bogarde or potentially Lindelof in midfield, as he did in the Europa League final.
Gomes was embraced by his manager as he trudged off the pitch after 40-minute Premier League debut to forget. A difficult afternoon for all involved but the problems have only worsened as a result of his red card.
A deal is currently being finalised to sign free agent Leon Goretzka and his experience, as well as leadership, is needed. Whether he could be thrust into the line-up against Arsenal remains to be seen.
Worrying insight into life without Konsa
The absence of a recognised striker at Brighton meant Villa's struggles going forward were to be expected. The defensive performance, on the other hand, was inexcusable.
Konsa's £55m move to Arsenal was arguably the most worrying of all the summer exits. The defending at the Amex offered a worrying insight into what life without the centre-back could be like.
Self-inflicted errors from Pau Torres, Lindelof failing to track runners in the box, and the lack of calmness that Villa would often rely on when Konsa was a pillar of the defence all contributed to the embarrassing display inside their own penalty box.
Brighton cut through their opponents with ease, so much so that they registered the highest expected goals tally from open play that Emery has faced since being appointed to the role in October 2022 (3.54 xG).
A bid has been rejected for Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis and contact has been made for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordanez but in the meantime, before the cavalry arrives, Villa have to cut out the individual errors.
Three of the 21 shots Brighton had came from Villa errors, of which two resulted in goals. If the same pattern unfolds at Villa Park, Arsenal will waste no time in replicating a similar onslaught.
The problems for Villa have piled up and while certain solutions are seemingly being worked on in the background, Emery and his threadbare squad may be forced to prove they can manage without them against the champions.
Watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 6.30pm on Monday August 31, kick-off 8pm.