Unai Emery thought Jadon Sancho took a "step forward" on Thursday night against BSC Young Boys
Aston Villa winger Jadon Sancho
Aston Villa winger Jadon Sancho(Image: Getty Images)
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After playing his first full 90 minutes for Aston Villa, Unai Emery hopes Jadon Sancho can now build more confidence.
Signed on loan from Manchester United on deadline day, Sancho made his 10th appearance for the club on Thursday night against BSC Young Boys.
He created six chances against the Swiss side - more than any other player on the pitch - but missed an opportunity to score his first goal for the club late on after being played through by Boubacar Kamara.
Sancho has started Villa’s last three Europa League matches, against Young Boys, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Go Ahead Eagles, and helped create Evann Guessand’s goal against the latter.
He is, however, yet to start a Premier League match, although he has been brought into action in the last four games against Manchester City, Liverpool, Bournemouth and Leeds United.
Given Sancho’s limited impact at Villa so far this season, there had been suggestions that he could return to United in January, with several European clubs monitoring the situation.
Emery, though, speaking after Villa’s 2-1 win over Young Boys, suggested that he is looking forward to continuing his work with the 25-year-old over the next six months.
“It was the first match he played 90 minutes. He finished tired, but we need a player with his skills,” the Villa boss said of the winger.
“We need him improving, getting fit and feeling confidence. He had a good match. He had three or four chances to score.
“Now he has to be demanding himself to score in those actions. Hopefully he can help us with his qualities during the season. Today I think he did a step forward.”
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