Alejandro Garnacho was deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea, so he was shipped off on loan to Aston Villa
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Chelsea and Leeds United on April 26, 2026 in London, England
Alejandro Garnacho struggled to impress for Chelsea last season(Image: Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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Alejandro Garnacho appears to have aimed a dig at Chelsea following Aston Villa's pre-season friendly win over Indonesia All Stars. The 22-year-old winger, who only recently left the Blues to join Unai Emery's side on loan, made his debut at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Saturday.
Although Garnacho was unable to mark his first appearance for the Villans with a goal, he did help them establish a two-goal lead at half-time. The Argentine was one of numerous changes at the break, with James Wright being the only player to stay on; he completed the 90 minutes between the sticks.
Aston Villa waltzed away 3-1 victors, and Garnacho was delighted to get off on the right foot. After the game, the Chelsea loanee uploaded a candid match-action picture of himself to his Instagram story and reflected on his performance.
Taking a dig at his employers, Garnacho wrote: "See you soon Bangkok! First start after three months. Happy to be enjoying football again. One per cent every day. Thanks Indonesia."
football.london understands that Garnacho, whom Chelsea only signed from Manchester United for £40m last summer, will pen a four-year contract with Aston Villa at the end of the season, subject to conditions in an obligation‑to‑buy clause worth £42.5m.
The winger, deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, was personally requested by Emery after losing Morgan Rogers to the Blues. Although the conditions for making the deal permanent remain unclear, it's said they're easily achievable.
Speaking to club media at the time of the deal, the Spaniard expressed his delight with the move. The Aston Villa boss said: "We are delighted with Alejandro. He is so talented, young, and he showed us his wish to help our project. We are really happy."
Alejandro Garnacho on Instagram after making his Aston Villa debut
Alejandro Garnacho on Instagram after making his Aston Villa debut
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Keen to take a closer look at Garnacho, Emery handed him his first start at the weekend. Although the former Arsenal boss didn't single him out for praise in an interview with VillaTV after the game, he was pleased with his players' display.
"We are happy and we are feeling comfortable here," said Emery. "After the first two weeks, we did our work in Birmingham. Now this camp is being important, how we are going to get fit, to adapt with the new players.
"And as well, tactically, how we can – as soon as possible – try to understand our structure with the players we have and some starting to play. Of course, some players (are) still to start with us after the World Cup, but it is being positive, the way we are doing.
"Keep going, try to avoid injured players. Try to adapt as better as possible in our structure, the players (who) are joining us. I am really optimistic. How we are building the team, how we are with a lot of changes, how we are as well, responding every day.
"I want to tell all our supporters: we are coming back again with a new spirit, a new chapter we will do this year. Really, I am excited..."