Alejandro Garnacho left Manchester United in the summer of 2025 to join Chelsea, but the former Red Devils forward has struggled for minutes while on loan at Aston Villa
Alejandro Garnacho during an Aston Villa training session
Alejandro Garnacho moved to Aston Villa in the summer but has struggled for minutes so far(Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
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Aston Villa star Alejandro Garnacho has been given some words of advice by manager Unai Emery after missing out on minutes in the Carabao Cup. He was left on the bench for the 3-1 win at Coventry City on Wednesday night.
Garnacho left Manchester United in the summer of 2025 to join Chelsea on a permanent move worth around £40million. It was this summer that saw Garnacho on the move again after making just 43 appearances for Chelsea, where he went on to sign for Villa on a season-long loan, which also includes an option to make the deal permanent.
However, Garnacho has been restricted to just three substitute appearances for Villa since his move to the Midlands, all of which have come in the Premier League.
Garnacho would have hoped to get minutes in the Carabao Cup third round tie against Coventry on Wednesday night, but was an unused substitute as Emery decided not to give the former United winger any time on the pitch.
When pressed on his decision not to give any minutes to the former United star, Emery offered advice to the Argentina international.
"Continue working. Work, work, train, work," he said, via BirminghamLive. "When he can have minutes to play, try and play well. He is progressing, but we have players in front of him now.
"George [Hemmings] is playing fantastic. Alysson is also understanding things well and is giving us things I want. [Ibrahim] Mbaye also responded well.
"We want a competitive team and players to compete in the style we have. Garnacho is a little bit behind because of some circumstances we had in pre-season. It is time to be patient for the time he needs."
Alejandro Garnacho during an Aston Villa game
Alejandro Garnacho moved to Aston Villa in the summer(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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Emery has previously made clear his desire to retain Garnacho at Villa for a "long time" as he outlined the club's ambitions for the former United star.
"We want him at the same level he was for Chelsea in the first part of last season and in Manchester two years ago," the Villa boss said last week.
"He is a player we have signed for a long time, and we will help him to feel comfortable and confident to get his quality."
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