History repeated itself as Jadon Sancho endured an embarrassing moment during Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City.
Sancho, who is yet to start for Villa in the Premier League, still hasn’t found his best form in claret and blue. There have been signs of promise, including the first half against Go Ahead Eagles midweek, but it’s been largely disappointing so far.
The Manchester United loanee wasn’t Villa’s first choice when searching for a winger in the summer, but his arrival was celebrated internally. Emery has great belief that Sancho can have a strong impact this season, though there’s a sense that his fitness must improve first.
Sancho’s involvement against City, despite him coming on at the half-hour mark for the injured Emiliano Buendia, was limited to just 45 minutes. That’s the most he’s played for Villa in a Premier League game but still not significant enough for him to gain any real momentum. It could be worse, though. Harvey Elliott didn’t even make the squad.
Emery explains savage Sancho hook
Fitness was a major consideration when Emery brutally hooked Sancho against City, the head coach revealed after the game. Coming on as a substitute and going back off again in the same fixture is one of the most humiliating experiences players can face in football, but Emery insists it was nothing personal. It’s happened to others in the past under his management, after all.
“It was not easy, firstly, after Sancho played 60 minutes against Go Ahead. He is getting fit, but not enough,” Emery explained during his post-match press conference.
“I planned as well with him to play him in the second half, but after the injury to Buendia, I decided to get him on the field as best as possible to get minutes and fitness, using his skills and qualities. His impact was good, but I knew before that it was my plan was to sub him.
“I did it before with Morgan Rogers, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey. It was not a punishment, it was a plan – he played 45 minutes. The other sub players were ready. (Donyell) Malen, (Ian) Maatsen and (Ross) Barkley were all very good,” Emery added.
Buendia injury confirmed
Not that any confirmation was required since Buendia quite clearly limped off the field, but Emery spoke briefly about the Argentine. “Yes (he is injured), but I don’t know now (the severity). Hopefully it’s not a lot,” Emery told Birmingham World.
If Buendia’s injury is serious, it could prove problematic for Villa as he has emerged as a key player so far this campaign. Buendia was actually transfer-listed at the start of the summer, but an impressive pre-season helped propel him back into Emery’s plans.
Since the start of 2025/26, Buendia has featured in 12 of a possible 13 matches, racking up 594 minutes, scoring three goals and providing two assists. That’s already more minutes and goal involvements than he managed for Villa throughout the entirety of 2024/25.
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