At Villa Park, Alejandro Garnacho’s loan spell has yet to find its rhythm. The 22-year-old Argentine winger remained unused as Aston Villa won 3-1 at Coventry City in the League Cup round of 32, extending a run of three consecutive matches spent on the bench.
Key takeaways
- Garnacho has played only 31 minutes across three appearances since joining Aston Villa on loan from Chelsea.
- He was not used against Coventry, Club Brugge in the Champions League or Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
- Academy product George Hemmings, 19, has moved ahead of Garnacho in Unai Emery’s current selection order.
- A facial injury suffered during the summer friendly against BG Pathum United disrupted Garnacho’s preparation after his July arrival.
- Villa’s potential compulsory purchase arrangement is reportedly linked to appearances and valued at about £42.5 million, or €37 million.
Emery asks for patience in Birmingham
Garnacho arrived at Villa after failing to establish himself fully at either Manchester United or Chelsea, but his early months in the Midlands have brought another difficult period. He is still awaiting his first goal for the club and has been pushed to the margins while Emery gives opportunities to other attacking options.
After the Coventry win, Emery’s message to Garnacho was straightforward: continue training and be ready when an opening comes. The Villa manager said the winger is making progress, but stressed that other players are currently ahead of him.
Emery highlighted Hemmings’ form in particular, while also praising Alysson for understanding the tactical demands placed on him and Mbaye for responding well when called upon. The Basque coach said Villa want a competitive group made up of players capable of meeting the team’s requirements, and described Garnacho as being behind after circumstances during pre-season. He urged patience while the Argentine is given the time required.
A disrupted start and few openings
Garnacho’s summer was interrupted soon after his July move to Villa Park. He sustained a facial injury in the match against BG Pathum United, a setback that ruled him out of the August Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and limited his chance to build momentum before the competitive campaign.
The recent evidence of Emery’s priorities has been stark. Across Villa’s last three matches, the manager has made 14 substitutions without bringing Garnacho onto the pitch. At Coventry, Emery altered seven players from the side that faced Nottingham Forest in the league, yet the Argentine still did not receive minutes.
For now, the loan is a waiting game. Garnacho must regain ground in training while Villa weigh their options around an agreement that could become a compulsory purchase, apparently depending on the number of matches he plays.
