Alejandro Garnacho faces fight for Aston Villa minutes after Coventry snub

Alejandro Garnacho’s difficult start at Aston Villa continued against Coventry City, with Unai Emery leaving the Chelsea loanee on the bench for the entire Carabao Cup victory.

Villa made seven changes and won 3-1 at the CBS Arena, seemingly creating an ideal opportunity for Garnacho to earn his first start. Instead, Emery used all five substitutions without turning to the 22-year-old.

Garnacho has now made only three substitute appearances since joining Villa, playing 31 minutes without starting a match. He has also been an unused substitute three times.

Garnacho joined Villa after struggling for consistent starts at Chelsea, with the loan viewed as an opportunity to rebuild his Premier League momentum.

His situation has instead become increasingly complicated.

John McGinn, George Hemmings, Ibrahim Mbaye and Alysson are currently among Emery’s alternatives out wide, while Emiliano Buendia could provide another option once Villa have sufficient cover at number 10.

Emery made clear after the Coventry victory that Garnacho currently sits behind several of those players.

“Continue working. Work, work, train, work,” Emery said when asked what the winger needs to do.

“He is progressing, but we have players in front of him now.”

Emery specifically praised Hemmings, Alysson and Mbaye before explaining that Garnacho remains slightly behind following circumstances during pre-season.

“It is time to be patient for the time he needs,” the Villa manager added.

Garnacho’s loan agreement also makes his lack of minutes particularly interesting.

Villa reportedly have an obligation to buy the winger for £43million if certain conditions, described as easily achievable, are triggered.

That inevitably creates comparisons with Harvey Elliott’s Villa loan last season. Elliott’s deal included an obligation linked to Premier League appearances, but he finished the campaign with only nine after Emery admitted Villa were not convinced about completing a permanent transfer.

There is currently no indication Villa are deliberately restricting Garnacho because of his clause, and Emery’s explanation instead centres on competition and preparation.

With Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup matches creating a demanding schedule, opportunities should arrive. Garnacho now needs to ensure he is ready when Emery provides one.

Villa’s congested schedule should provide Garnacho with further opportunities to push for his first start, particularly with Champions League and domestic cup football increasing Emery’s need for rotation.

The coming weeks could therefore be important. Garnacho needs minutes, but first he must convince Emery that he deserves to move ahead of Villa’s other wide options.