Emery urges patience as Garnacho works to adapt at Villa
The Argentine forward has made just three substitute appearances since arriving on loan from Chelsea, with the head coach insisting he needs time to adjust.
Alejandro Garnacho faces a period of hard work behind the scenes after Unai Emery indicated the forward still needs time to adjust to life at Aston Villa. The Argentine arrived on loan from Chelsea during the summer transfer window, which has since closed until January 2027, with an obligation for the move to become permanent should specific conditions be fulfilled.
His involvement on the pitch has been minimal so far. According to The Mirror, who first covered the story on 6 September, Garnacho has made only three substitute appearances amounting to roughly half an hour of football. That limited game time has seen him fall behind academy product George Hemmings in the selection order.
Speaking after the goalless draw against Hull City, Emery explained the situation by contrasting the two players. He noted that Hemmings had spent the previous year working with the group and earning his minutes, while new arrivals must go through their own process of adapting to the training demands and match requirements.
Emery praised Hemmings for his intensity and contribution, including an assist for Emiliano Buendía, before addressing the broader challenge facing recent signings. He stressed that performances must improve through consistent work, placing Garnacho firmly in the category of players still finding their feet within the system.
Sky Sports subsequently reported on 11 September that the head coach expects supporters to see the best version of the attacker once he is fully integrated. That followed earlier remarks from the player himself upon completing his switch, when he spoke about wanting to rebuild his confidence at a club competing in the Champions League.
Garnacho's path to the Midlands involved a difficult spell at Manchester United followed by a single season at Stamford Bridge, where he scored once in 24 Premier League outings. He acknowledged at the time of signing that discussions with Emery gave him belief he could rediscover the form shown during his early career.
With the transfer window now shut, there is no possibility of altering the arrangement before it reopens in the new year. The focus therefore remains entirely on the training ground, where the coaching staff will look to accelerate his understanding of how Villa operate without the ball and in transition.
For now, Emery's message is one of patience rather than alarm. The obligation attached to the agreement means the club has a vested interest in ensuring the 22-year-old finds his rhythm, but the head coach is clearly unwilling to rush that process at the expense of players already meeting his standards.
