Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho got a much-needed confidence boost during Aston Villa's win over Sevilla(Image: Jose Luis Contreras/NurPhoto)
View 2 Images
When Aston Villa agreed a deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea in July, it was stressed to football.london that the move - all being well - would turn permanent next summer.
While sources close to negotiations refused to clarify what the conditions were on the obligation, they were instead described as 'straightforward'. Usually with conditional obligations, the terms are to do with the minutes the player, in this case Garnacho, ends up with on the pitch.
Unai Emery hinted recently that the Argentine winger will be at Villa Park for the long term and that is why he has been patient and reluctant to throw him into the action in the early parts of the campaign.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Tottenham 'miss out on £40m' after latest decision - and it's nothing to do with Man City
Arsenal latest: Erling Haaland priority named as Antonio Nusa transfer claim made
Emery, though, might be tempted to use the Chelsea loanee more regularly after the international break following a promising performance from the winger in Villa's friendly victory over Sevilla on Friday.
The 22-year-old scored for Villa in their Antonio Puerta Trophy win at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium. Isaac Romero opened the scoring for Sevilla before Ross Barkley equalised for Emery's side.
Alejandro Garnacho celebrates
Alejandro Garnacho celebrates after scoring for Aston Villa against Sevilla(Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC)
View 2 Images
Garnacho then put Villa ahead before Max Jenner added their third of the match. Garnacho took to Instagram story to express his delight. Alongside a photograph of him in action, he wrote: "2 test, 2 goals. Ready now!"
Chelsea wanted to sell Garnacho over the summer transfer window but a deal to ship the Argentine on a permanent basis proved tricky. In the end, the Blues settled for a conditional obligation which, in their eyes, should see the out-of-favour winger off their books next summer for a fee of around £42.5million.
Last season, in what was Garnacho's debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, the former Manchester United winger was restricted to just 14 starts in the Premier League. Overall, he made just 24 appearances for Chelsea and it was clear there would be a move in the summer.
Garnacho will be hoping he has done some good in his bid to win over Emery when Villa host Brentford next weekend. After that, it's Fenerbahce at Villa Park before a trip to Newcastle United to wrap up a hectic week for Garnacho and his teammates.