Aston Villa secured their second victory of the season and advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup following a convincing win against Coventry City. Despite the positive result, much of the post-match discussion has centred on a player who did not make an appearance: Alejandro Garnacho.
For the third consecutive game, Garnacho remained on the bench throughout, as manager Unai Emery opted not to bring him on. Over this period, Emery has made 14 substitutions across matches, including using all five allowed changes in the last two fixtures, yet Garnacho has not been given an opportunity to influence the game or to gain valuable minutes integrating into the team.
This pattern points to a deliberate decision by Emery to exclude Garnacho from match involvement, which seems at odds with the manager’s comments about the player gradually adapting to Villa’s tactical system. Without game time, Garnacho’s ability to familiarise himself with the team’s style will be limited.
It is clear that Garnacho has significant progress to make before earning Emery’s trust on the pitch. However, his chances appear largely confined to training sessions at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath facility, as the competition for wide attacking positions is intense.
With the forthcoming international break, Garnacho will have the opportunity to work closely with Emery in smaller group settings. Still, several players currently rank ahead of him in the pecking order - including Ibrahim Mbaye, Emi Buendia, John McGinn, Alysson, Johan Manzambi, and the young George Hemmings.
Notably, teenager Hemmings has started all of Villa’s opening six league games this season. McGinn remains a constant presence, Buendia enjoys the manager’s confidence, and Mbaye has demonstrated promising flashes. Manzambi, recovering from a knee injury, has made substitute appearances in the last two matches against Nottingham Forest and Coventry City.
Though Manzambi’s playing style differs from Garnacho’s, his gradual introduction into matchday squads highlights Emery’s willingness to integrate new arrivals. This raises questions as to why Garnacho, who has experience playing in English football at prominent clubs, has yet to receive similar opportunities.
Given that Garnacho’s move to Villa is a loan with a conditional obligation to buy, supporters are already speculating whether a situation akin to that of Harvey Elliott might unfold, where limited playing time prevented a full transfer.
Presently, the array of options available to Emery appears sufficient without incorporating Garnacho. Injured midfielder Leon Goretzka, earmarked for the number 10 role, will add depth upon his return, alongside Manzambi, McGinn, Mbaye, Hemmings, and Alysson offering versatility across wide positions.
While the season remains long, Villa’s financial constraints mean that investing £40 million in a new signing requires the player to be both capable and vital to the squad. At this juncture, Garnacho seems to fulfil neither criterion, explaining his ongoing absence from first-team action.