Emery explains Garnacho's lack of playing time at Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has explained winger Alejandro Garnacho's lack of playing time, stating he is behind other players in the team's pecking order and must work hard to earn minutes. The comments came after Garnacho was an unused substitute in Villa's 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Coventry City on September 16, 2026. Emery emphasized that Garnacho needs patience and continuous effort to break into the side. "He has to continue working. Work, work, train, work," Emery said in a post-match press conference. "When he can have minutes to play, try and play well. He is progressing, but we have players in front of him now." The manager specifically named teenagers George Hemmings and Ibrahim Mbaye, along with summer signing Alysson, as players currently ahead of Garnacho. Emery attributed Garnacho's slow start to a disrupted preseason, which included a facial injury that ruled him out of the Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain due to concussion. Garnacho, 22, joined Villa on loan from Chelsea in the summer. The deal includes a conditional obligation for Villa to purchase him for approximately £42.5 million if certain appearance-based conditions are met.