Alejandro Garnacho is looking to kickstart his Aston Villa career after joining on loan from Chelsea and the former Man Utd winger already faces a potentially vital moment
Alejandro Garnacho is still waiting for his first Aston Villa start
Alejandro Garnacho is still waiting for his first Aston Villa start(Image: Jon Super/Shutterstock)
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Alejandro Garnacho will be desperate for a start in the Carabao Cup when Aston Villa face Coventry City at the CBS Arena on Wednesday night (8pm). The winger arrived from Chelsea on loan with a conditional obligation to buy, believed to be tied to his appearance tally.
So far, though, Garnacho has managed just 31 minutes across three Premier League outings, with teenager George Hemmings keeping him out of the XI. Unai Emery has nonetheless stressed that he has been encouraged by the Argentine's development since joining the club.
"Every training session we are doing, he is showing he can play matches," Emery said. "He played a few minutes, but it was not enough, firstly due to the minutes he played and the things he showed.
"Progressively, I am seeing him better. The most important thing is being consistent and demanding through the attitude he has. Then, I believe and I trust that he will achieve his best performance progressively."
Even so, the 22‑year‑old is still playing catch‑up. A facial injury in pre‑season stalled his momentum and contributed to him missing the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in August.
With Emery expected to rotate his squad, Garnacho could finally be handed his first start of the campaign - but knows that if he doesn't take it, then the chances of featuring from the off against Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend look extremely slim.
While Garnacho may still need more time to adapt to Emery's demanding style, Villa captain John McGinn has warned that that patience is essential.
"It’s a demanding style and very unique system," said McGinn. "A lot of work in the classroom. It does take time.
Garnacho is seemingly yet to convince Villa manager Emery
Garnacho is seemingly yet to convince Villa manager Emery
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"It’s not just a case of your normal 4-4-2 or your normal 4-2-3-1. It’s the detail but it’s different. It’s like me going to play international football – it’s a different kind of football.
"You just need to adapt and hopefully over time we start to grow."
The winger only joined Chelsea last summer from Manchester United in a £40m deal, but departs on loan less than a year later after struggling to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. He faced criticism for limited attacking output and lapses in defensive concentration as Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League and missed out on European football.
United inserted a 10 per cent sell‑on clause in his move to west London, which would apply if he completes a permanent switch to Villa Park. Chelsea sources, meanwhile, insist the conditions to trigger the £43m obligation are 'easily achievable'.