Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho scored his first goal for Aston Villa on Thursday to help them beat Fenerbahce 1-0 in the Europa League, and his comments after the game were telling
Jadon Sancho of Aston Villa FC celebrates his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Fenerbahce SK and Aston Villa FC at Sukru Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi in Istanbul, Turkey, on January 22, 2026. (Photo by Yagiz Gurtug/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho is off the mark for Aston Villa(Image: Yagiz Gurtug/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Jadon Sancho aimed a thinly-veiled dig at his former Manchester United managers after hitting the high point of his loan spell with Aston Villa. Sancho, 25, finall scored his first goal for Unai Emery's side, as they beat Turkish giants Fenerbahce 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday
The result means that Villa have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition with a game to spare. Sancho's header in the 25th minute was enough to seal all three points in Istanbul, and he was a constant threat until Emery brought him off in the closing stages.
The United loanee is enjoying playing under Emery, who he was asked about post-match. "He just keeps on telling me to be positive every time I play," Sancho told TNT Sports.
"It's nice to have a manager who backs you and obviously believes in you. Again, every opportunity I get, I'm going to try and do 100 per cent, and hopefully I can deliver more goals."
Sancho is clearly feeling the benefit of being 'backed', having felt cast aside at Old Trafford. The winger infamously had a bust-up with ex-United manager Erik ten Hag, leading to two separate loan moves.
When he returned from a spell at Chelsea, Sancho was made part of a five-man bomb squad and didn't play a single game during Ruben Amorim's tenure. His contract with the Red Devils expires in June, coinciding with the end of his loan at Villa, but United have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Anthony Elanga of Manchester United, head coach Erik Ten Hag of Manchester United and Jadon Sancho of Manchester United shake hands during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg match between Manchester United and Sevilla FC at Old Trafford on April 13, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Zemanek/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho had a fallout(Image: Michael Zemanek/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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LEEDS, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Unai Emery manger / head coach of Aston Villa instructs Jadon Sancho of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Aston Villa at Elland Road on November 23, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes in him(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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For now, he's fully focused on life at Villa Park. "I just take it day by day in training," Sancho went on to say. "Obviously, the manager and the team are helping me to get to my best.
"Honestly, I know I can do a lot more. I'm very hard on myself in that aspect. But again, I'm very grateful that I got my first goal for Aston Villa and I hope it continues."
Villa travel to Newcastle on Sunday for what promises to be another difficult away game. They remain third in the Premier League table following last weekend's surprise 1-0 loss at home to Everton, denting their hopes of chasing down current leaders Arsenal in the title race.